Tinotenda Hove- Twelve Zimbabwean nationals, among them five children, lost their lives after a long-distance passenger bus travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe overturned in South Africa’s Free State Province on Wednesday evening.

The fatal crash occurred along the N1 highway, approximately 24 kilometres north of Trompsburg, as the vehicle was heading towards Edenburg. Authorities said the bus was carrying around 78 passengers at the time of the accident.

A total of 66 passengers survived the crash but sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said officials were still working to formally identify the victims and confirm their genders.

“The identities and genders of the deceased have not yet been formally confirmed,” he said.
Passengers with less serious injuries were treated at Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg.

Five people were reported to have suffered serious injuries, while four critically injured passengers were airlifted or transferred to Pelonomi Trauma Hospital in Bloemfontein for specialised emergency care.

The N1 highway was temporarily shut down in both directions as forensic teams examined the scene and recovery crews cleared the wreckage.

Free State MEC for Community Safety Jabu Mbalula expressed sympathy to the families affected by the tragedy.

“On behalf of the Free State Provincial Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. To those injured, we wish you a speedy and full recovery. This is a devastating loss, and our thoughts are with all those affected,” he said.
Investigators are yet to determine what caused the bus to overturn.

The N1 is one of the region’s busiest transport routes, connecting South Africa with neighbouring countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Angola and Tanzania.

The highway is heavily used by commercial vehicles and cross-border buses and has witnessed a number of deadly road accidents over the years.