A devastating truck crash near Flagstaff, South Africa, has claimed the lives of seven people, leaving several children without their parents. The accident occurred on Saturday when a truck carrying about 30 passengers from a traditional ceremony overturned. The victims were traveling from Mswakazi in Port St Johns to Bizana after attending a traditional ceremony to accompany a newlywed woman to her new home.
The Eastern Cape social development MEC, Bukiwe Fanta, visited the bereaved families on Monday, including one that lost three members in the accident. Another household has been left headed by children following the deaths of the adults who had cared for them. The department identified families facing severe hardship following the loss of breadwinners, with some households requiring urgent assistance.
The death toll rose from six to seven after another passenger succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Two men and four women were declared dead after the crash, while several other passengers were taken to hospital with injuries. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released as the process of notifying their families and next of kin continues.
MEC Fanta provided food parcel vouchers to affected families and pledged further support from her department. She expressed condolences to the grieving relatives and assessed the circumstances of households affected by the tragedy. The department also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of bereaved families and allow them time to grieve.
Eastern Cape transport and community safety MEC, Xolile Nqatha, expressed concern about the continued loss of life on the province's roads. He urged all drivers, particularly those transporting passengers, to exercise caution, ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy, and adjust their driving to fit road conditions.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with police opening a culpable homicide case. According to reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. The incident has sparked concerns about road safety and the need for drivers to exercise caution on the roads.
MEC Fanta undertook to continue engaging with affected households and local stakeholders to determine what further assistance was needed, particularly where children had been left without adult caregivers. The department will provide ongoing support to the families affected by the tragedy, ensuring they are not left to cope with the consequences alone.
Key points
- Seven people died in a truck crash near Flagstaff, South Africa.
- The crash left several children without parents, with some households requiring urgent assistance.
- The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with police opening a culpable homicide case.
