The officer’s private vehicle was engulfed by flames following the head-on collision.
Northern Cape police are investigating a case of culpable homicide, after a bus transporting African National Congress (ANC) supporters from the party’s birthday celebration in Kimberley, was involved in a collision which left one person dead.
The ruling party’s 108th anniversary event ended on a grim note between Upington and Keimoes late on Saturday night. Police Spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba confirmed that the bus transporting ANC supporters through the Namaqualand region collided with a sedan, killing the driver, who happened to be police captain stationed at Upington.
ANC 108 celebrations marred by fatal collision
Ramatseba described the horrifying death of the sedan driver, who was burnt alive when both vehicles burst into flames as a result of the collision. The police spokesperson said:
“The accident occurred 12 km from Upington in the direction of Keimoes near Kalksloot. The Corolla was travelling from Keimoes to Upington when it collided with the bus. The driver of the Corolla was a police Captain stationed at Upington SAPS.
He was off duty and travelling in his private vehicle. He was trapped in the vehicle and suffered burn injuries when the vehicle caught fire. His remains were removed with Jaws of Life from the wreckage.
The passengers in the bus managed to exit the bus before it caught fire. Seven passengers were treated for minor injuries and were transported to Harry Surtie hospital for medical treatment.”
The cause of the fatal collision has not yet been determined and is under investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape. A case of culpable homicide has also been opened.
ANC offers condolences, calls for better road policing
ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe, noted with sadness the loss of life which marred the party’s birthday celebrations. Mabe issued a statement on Sunday morning, saying:
“ANC has offered its condolences to the family of the driver who tragically lost his life in a head-on collision with a bus carrying ANC members from the January 8th celebrations in Kimberly in the Northern Cape.”
The ruling party added that more needed to be done to curb the bloodshed on South Africa’s roads, urging provincial road traffic management and enforcement authorities to redouble their efforts.
The fatal Northern Cape crash was just one of three deadly road accidents recorded over the weekend, bringing a bloody end to the festive period.
In Gauteng, five people were killed in a horror smash on the N1 north which forced road closures on Sunday morning.
In Limpopo, four learners, from Rantobeng Secondary School, were killed when a truck, in an attempt to avoid a collision with a tractor, ploughed into the group of teenagers who were returning from soccer practice. Three other students are still in a critical condition.
Source: Thesouthafrican.com
