‘Drivers trained adequately’ – MMC on Ekurhuleni bus crash
Ekurhuleni’s Road and Traffic MMC, Andile Mngwevu, has reiterated that their bus drivers receive proper training and dismissed claims that Tuesday’s deadly crash on the R21 was related to the bus's roadworthiness.
Mngwevu addressed the media on Wednesday.
The city confirmed the bus had passed all necessary safety inspections.
“Our driver, we can confirm, held a professional driving permit (PDP) and was licensed to operate that particular vehicle,” said Mngwevu.
However, Mngwevu also revealed that the bus was overloaded, carrying 89 passengers.
The accident occurred when a municipal bus overturned on the R21 Northbound after a light motor vehicle braked to avoid missing an offramp, causing the bus driver to swerve and lose control.
READ MORE: Ramaphosa ‘saddened’ by R21 bus crash deaths
Mngwevu confirmed that 77 people were injured and 13 people had died in the crash—correcting earlier reports that listed 16 fatalities and 45 injuries.
“Thus far, we can confirm 13 fatalities—12 at the scene and one at Tambo Memorial Hospital. So, we can confirm it is 13, not 16,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), which initially reported 16 fatalities, said that after further verification, the correct number of fatalities is 13.
The RTMC also confirmed that investigators are working to identify the other vehicle involved in the crash and that footage from SANRAL CCTV cameras is being analysed for inclusion in the final crash report, which will be added to the docket for the South African Police Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gauteng Health and Welllness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited the injured in various hospitals in Ekurhuleni, while Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane visited families of pupils involved in the crash.
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