PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa visited victims of the tragic bus accident that was carrying ANC supporters.
He visited them at Mankweng and Botlokwa hospitals outside Polokwane in Limpopo on Tuesday, 16 January.
The accident occurred along the R71 road in Magoebaskloof in the early hours of Saturday morning, 13 January, claiming five lives and leaving others with severe and minor injuries. The incident happened when they were on their way to the ANC 112 anniversary rally in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Ramaphosa wished the victims well and said that the provincial government will offer comprehensive support towards their recovery.
Preliminary reports indicate that three busses were travelling one behind the other when the third bus rammed the second bus and overturned into a gorge.
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"We call upon the law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident," said Ramaphosa.
The president also visited the families of the victims who died to offer his condolences. He also engaged with the villagers of Botlokwa.
He expressed his compassion and support to the victims, bereaved families and villagers, saying that the ANC has lost its loyal members.
"This is to illustrate a collective effort in addressing the aftermath of the unfortunate incident. I'm happy with how the patients are being treated,” said Ramaphosa.
Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba said out of the 57 patients who were admitted, only nine are still hospitalised.
"Post-mortems have already been done for those who died, and families have received the bodies of their loved," she said.
ANC's second deputy secretary-general, Maropene Ramokgopa, said preparations for memorial and funeral services have already started and details will be announced in due course.
"The organisation will make sure that our fallen comrades do get a dignified farewell," she said.
Some ANC supporters said they are still shocked and heartbroken about the tragic accident.
