Free State police say investigations into the accident which claimed the lives of 11 people who were travelling home from the African National Congress (ANC) manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth at the weekend show that the drivers were changing seats while the bus was in motion.
The accident happened when a bus ferrying ANC volunteers from Ekurhuleni rolled several times on the N1 between Winburg and Kroonstad. At least 59 people were injured.
Lieutenant Malebo Khosana told TMG Digital on Monday evening: “Investigations revealed that they were trying to change seats‚ because the driver was tired. They did this while the bus was moving.”
He added: “It looks like they were driving right through the night”.
Khosana said the accident call was received by police at about 8.30am on Sunday and the bus had left PE at 9pm on Saturday.
One of the drivers was questioned by police and served with a warning statement. Police will also question the other driver‚ who was injured in the crash and is receiving treatment in hospital.
He couldn’t talk when police was visited him on Monday‚ Khosana said.
A case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
Khosana said once their investigation was completed‚ police would present a docket to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision.
Meanwhile‚ the Road Accident Fund said on Monday it would assist families of the 11 ANC members who were killed with funeral arrangements and processing claims.
“The RAF Johannesburg regional team will meet with family members of the deceased to activate funeral support as provided for in the RAF Act. Consultations will continue with the bereaved families after the funerals to originate claims for loss of support for the surviving dependents‚ and qualifying heads of damages for the injured‚” RAF CEO Eugene Watson said.
President Jacob Zuma on Monday also extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the bus crash and other road accidents.
“We are still in deep shock. This is a loss not for the ANC only but the country as a whole. We are with all the families that have lost their loved ones tragically and in this most painful manner. We urge the nation to keep the families in their thoughts and prayers‚” Zuma said.
Drivers changed seats while #ANCcrash bus was moving - Police
Free State police say investigations into the accident which claimed the lives of 11 people who were travelling home from the African National Congress (ANC) manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth at the weekend show that the drivers were changing seats while the bus was in motion.
The accident happened when a bus ferrying ANC volunteers from Ekurhuleni rolled several times on the N1 between Winburg and Kroonstad. At least 59 people were injured.
Lieutenant Malebo Khosana told TMG Digital on Monday evening: “Investigations revealed that they were trying to change seats‚ because the driver was tired. They did this while the bus was moving.”
He added: “It looks like they were driving right through the night”.
Khosana said the accident call was received by police at about 8.30am on Sunday and the bus had left PE at 9pm on Saturday.
One of the drivers was questioned by police and served with a warning statement. Police will also question the other driver‚ who was injured in the crash and is receiving treatment in hospital.
He couldn’t talk when police was visited him on Monday‚ Khosana said.
A case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
Khosana said once their investigation was completed‚ police would present a docket to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision.
Meanwhile‚ the Road Accident Fund said on Monday it would assist families of the 11 ANC members who were killed with funeral arrangements and processing claims.
“The RAF Johannesburg regional team will meet with family members of the deceased to activate funeral support as provided for in the RAF Act. Consultations will continue with the bereaved families after the funerals to originate claims for loss of support for the surviving dependents‚ and qualifying heads of damages for the injured‚” RAF CEO Eugene Watson said.
President Jacob Zuma on Monday also extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the bus crash and other road accidents.
“We are still in deep shock. This is a loss not for the ANC only but the country as a whole. We are with all the families that have lost their loved ones tragically and in this most painful manner. We urge the nation to keep the families in their thoughts and prayers‚” Zuma said.
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