Daily Sun (September 3 2013) - THE SKOROKORO bus raced down the hill, packed with reed dancers and minders returning from the annual reed dance. The first driver had been taken off at a roadblock for being drunk - but the unroadworthy vehicle had been allowed to continue on its journey . . . SPEEDING TOWARDS A DATE WITH DEATH!
The 23-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle in the dark of night, going downhill near Eshowe, KZN on Sunday, sliding down the road, smashing into barriers that ripped through the bus.
When the rescue crews finally separated the injured from the dead, eight young reed dancers and two minders lay dead under blankets, with many injured calling for medical assistance.
The bus was carrying 64 passengers from the cultural Umkhosi Womhlanga which took place in Nongoma, Enyokeni Palace, over the past weekend. They were on their way home to eMahlongwa and KwaNdelu Villages in Mzumbe near Port Shepstone.
Families and relatives of the bus accident victims went to identify the bodies of the victims yesterday.
Menzi Bhengu had taken over from the driver who had been arrested for drunken driving at a road block in Nongoma. Bhengu is in a critical condition in hospital.
Fourteen-year-old Nolwandle Duma had taken the trip to the reed dance for the first time this year.
Nolwandle's grandmother Thembi Duma (53) cried uncontrollably as she told Daily Sun how excited her granddaughter was about going to the dance.
"It was her first time ever. If only we knew she would never come back," said Thembi.
Mehlokazulu Msane, sister to guardian Missy Msansi who died (49) together with her daughter Nokwanda (21), said her sister took over the skill of virginity testing from their mother.
"The little girls loved her. It is so sad that she died this way," said Mehlokazulu.
Transport MEC Willies Mchunu said the bus was allegedly speeding. "According to the uncompleted report, the bus was also not roadworthy. This tragedy must be fully probed and the outcome made available to the family members."
Prince Thulani Zulu of the royal house said: "We can't undo what is done but we hope God will be with the families during this time of grieving," he said.
Umzumbe Inkosi Sifiso Shinga said it was heart-breaking for maidens to die after such excitement about the event.
President Jacob Zuma has expressed shock at the deaths of the 10 people.
"We are shocked and saddened by this tragic and horrific loss of life in this manner," Zuma said in a statement yesterday.
Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha confirmed that 10 people died and 62 others were injured.
Families gathered at the Umlalazi Council Chamber in Eshowe to be addressed by government officials.
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