THERE were mixed emotions at Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga.
This after a bus carrying members of the African National Congress (ANC) overturned on Saturday, 13 January in Magoebaskloof outside Tzaneen, Limpopo.
The bus was on its way to Mbombela for the party's 112th anniversary celebrations.
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Florence Radzilani and other members of government had to be recalled from the January 8 statement to attend the scene.
According to the MEC spokeswoman, Vongani Chauke, the accident happened at about 3.30am.
She said the MEC would lead a team of government officials to visit the accident site and patients at various hospitals.
"Preliminary reports indicate that three buses were travelling one behind the other when the third bus rammed the second from behind and overturned into a gorge. The buses were travelling with ANC members from the Molemole subregion, which falls under the Capricorn District Municipality," she said.
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She said that five people were reportedly killed in the accident and several passengers sustained injuries.
"The injured passengers have been rushed to hospitals in Mopani district. The road is currently closed as rescue workers clear the accident site. We will provide further details in due course," she said.
ANC chairman Gwede Mantashe called on those present at the stadium to observe a minute's silence in memory of the members who were killed.
He said it was difficult for them to celebrate the 112th milestone while some of their comrades died trying to get to the celebrations.
