ADVERTISEMENT:

 

 
 

It took more than four hours to clear up the scene.

Horrific bus accident claims 10 lives

Date: 14 February 2014 By: Elmon Tshikhudo

The scene next to MTG Funerals in Thohoyandou resembled a war zone or a scene from a Hollywood horror movie. Lifeless bodies were scattered all over and the smell of fresh blood and death lingered in the air.

The taxi was a complete wreck after it was torn into pieces on impact with an oncoming bus. In what used to be a taxi were groceries the dead had bought in Thohoyandou.

The accident, which involved a bus from the Malamulele side, a taxi from Thohoyandou to Tshikonelo and a sedan, left 10 people dead and 11 injured. It took place on Monday afternoon.

The news of the horrific accident spread like wildfire. Within a short space of time, hundreds of cars were parked for kilometres, with people scrambling to have a glimpse of the accident scene. It took more than four hours to clear up the scene and the road remained closed throughout the operation.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with some bystanders blaming the bus driver for having caused the accident.

It is believed the bus had veered into oncoming traffic, hitting an oncoming taxi before dragging a Polo sedan for some metres into the bush. The Polo is a complete wreck, but its three occupants escaped with injuries.

The owner of the taxi, Mr Eric Mashila, who was also at the scene, said he was very shocked to see so many people dying in one accident. He said his driver, Mr Robert Mapango, was a very careful driver who always put the safety of his passengers first.

“I worked with this man since 1988 and never once was he involved in an accident; this is the first one. When God gave me these vehicles, I prayed that we should not have accidents as we are carrying the lives of the people. I am very saddened that so many people died in my taxi, but this is beyond my powers and I cannot even question why it happened in my taxi,” said Mashila.

"We always hear of and see such horrific accidents on TV from far; these things do not happen around here. We are very shocked to see decapitated bodies with some limbs torn off from bodies. This will linger in my memory for a long time,” said Ms Thelma Marole, a principal at one of the local schools.

Meanwhile, messages of condolences have started pouring in from different quarters.

Premier Stan Mathabatha expressed his shock about the horrific accident and sent his condolences to the bereaved families. He again reiterated the government's stance on unroadworthy vehicles that continuously flood the province's roads. "Traffic officials must continuously perform their work with due diligence to stamp out rowdy driving and unroadworthy vehicles,” he said.

The MEC for Roads and Transport, Mr Lehlogonolo Masoga, has expressed shock over the accident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased during this time of grief, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured ones. The department shares the heartache and is saddened that so many lives continue to be lost on South African roads, which not only impacts negatively on their families but on the province and the country in general,’’ said Mazola.

The spokesperson for the Thohoyandou Police, Const Avhafarei Tshiovhe, confirmed that they have opened a culpable homicide docket and at our going to press, only one family had identified one of the deceased.

 
 
 

Viewed: 7778

 

 
 

Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

 
 

More photos... 

Mr Christopher Nevhutalu of Dolight Bus Service inspects the scene of the accident. Bodies are taken to a waiting mortuary van.

ADVERTISEMENT

 
 

ADVERTISEMENT:

 
 

ADVERTISEMENT