Bus rollover near Beitbridge kills driver; 11 injured

A bus driver has died and 11 passengers were injured after a bus travelling to the Repatriation Camp in Beitbridge overturned on the N1 near Musina in the early hours of Wednesday, July 1.

What happened

The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed that the vehicle overturned on the N1 about four kilometres south of the Beitbridge Border Post. The driver has been confirmed deceased, while eleven passengers sustained injuries.

Preliminary cause and casualties

According to the department’s preliminary reports, the bus was transporting individuals from KwaZulu-Natal to the Repatriation Camp in Beitbridge when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle due to fatigue, causing it to overturn.

Officials said the injured were transported to Musina Hospital for medical treatment.

Emergency response and traffic

Emergency services, law enforcement agencies and traffic officials were on the scene managing the incident and providing assistance. The road remained open to traffic, but authorities warned that temporary closures could be implemented to allow forensic investigators to work.

“Motorists travelling along the route are urged to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance, and comply with the instructions of traffic officials on the scene.”

Ongoing monitoring

The department said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as more information became available.

Context

The crash occurred amid nationwide demonstrations the previous day calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.