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Bus driver in fatal ANC crash charged

April 18, 2016. HEARTBREAK: ANC supporters in Katlehong , Ekurhuleni , singing outside the home of one of the ANC members who died in a bus crash in the Free State. The accident claimed the lives of 10 people. PIC: VATHISWA RUSELO SOWETAN. © SUNDAY WORLD
April 18, 2016. HEARTBREAK: ANC supporters in Katlehong , Ekurhuleni , singing outside the home of one of the ANC members who died in a bus crash in the Free State. The accident claimed the lives of 10 people. PIC: VATHISWA RUSELO SOWETAN. © SUNDAY WORLD

Charges have been laid against one of the men who was driving the bus that killed 10 people and left 59 injured at the weekend.

Lieutenant Malebo Khosana from the Thabong Cluster police station in the Free State said the 31-year-old driver was charged with culpable homicide yesterday while the other driver, who was still in hospital, would also be charged "as soon as he can talk".

On Sunday morning, a bus filled with ANC supporters travelling from the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg overturned on the N1 between Winburg and Ventersdorp in the Free State.

The volunteers were heading home after the party's manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth. Sowetan yesterday reported on rumours that the bus rolled because the drivers were attempting to swap seats. Yesterday, Khosana confirmed the rumours: "Our investigations have revealed that the drivers were indeed trying to swap seats while the bus was in motion."

Kabati Transport Services, the company that owns the bus, issued a statement sending their condolences to the families of those that were injured and those who died.

"We will have no leniency on anyone who has been grossly negligent and irresponsible," the statement said.

The names of the deceased were released yesterday. They are Sphamandla Gedle, Simphiwe Nhlapho, Tisetso Ntsilo, Sesi Mtshali, Sana Sibeko, Mphikeleli Malindi, Gugulethu Sithole, Vusi Nkabinde, Daphney Linda and Sicelo Kheswa.

They are from Katlehong and Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni.

Other members suffered serious injuries and are still admitted to different hospitals in Free State. The bodies of the deceased will arrive in Germiston later this week.

ANC bigwigs from Gauteng, including party chairman Paul Mashatile, visited Katlehong yesterday to pay their condolences. Mashatile vowed to give the deceased a proper send-off. "Once the bodies have arrived we will consult with the families and decide on a memorial service.

"We will then organise to give them a decent funeral.

"We will visit the families from time to time until the deceased have been buried," Mashatile said.

The region received condolences and messages of support from both ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe and President Jacob Zuma. Each of the victims' homes had an ANC flag installed and raised high outside.

The Road Accident Fund has already announced that plans were afoot to ensure the deceased's families were adequately assisted.

 

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