Johannesburg - The haunting cries of a woman filled the midmorning air in Germiston on Tuesday as a motorcade of bereaved families made their way to a local mortuary to identify the remains of their loved ones.
She wept uncontrollably, almost falling, but some women helped her.
The unidentified woman was among other relatives of the 10 ANC members and supporters who died in a bus crash in the Free State on Sunday. The bus was returning to Gauteng from the ANC’s local government manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth when it rolled several times, ejecting some passengers and leaving numerous others trapped beneath its wreckage.
On Tuesday, the remains of the deceased were brought back to the Germiston mortuary. Their bodies were transported by two Free State pathology services vehicles accompanied by a procession of Ekurhuleni metro police vehicles and motorbikes.
Gauteng ANC chairman Paul Mashatile, secretary Hope Papo, Ekurhuleni regional chairman Mzwandile Masina, Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele and Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport Butana Komphela were among leaders who came to give the bereaved families support.
“The deceased comrades have now arrived, all the families are inside here. The process of identifying the deceased is now under way,” said Mashatile outside the mortuary.
Masina explained that a collaborative effort between various key role players had been made to help the families of the deceased deal with the tragedy.
This comes as authorities continue searching for answers about the actual cause of the accident. Some survivors have told The Star that they saw the two drivers alternate driving, both to and from Port Elizabeth.
However, the bus operator, Kabati Transport Services, has denied these allegations.
Spokesman Wesley Maringa said one of the drivers had moved from his seat to the driver’s seat in a bid to help his colleague after he saw the bus veering off the road.
Earlier on Monday, he said the company had launched a probe into the cause of the accident. “We will have no leniency on anyone who has been grossly negligent and irresponsible and we will continue to work closely with all state officials to assist establish facts and the root cause of the accident,” he said in a statement.
Maringa said their team of investigators had already been on the case.”Our drivers are paired on long-distance trips and understand their responsibilities when on duty.
“We have a fleet of transport which is regularly serviced, including inspections before a trip is undertaken.”
He added that the bus company would do its “utmost best to provide assistance and support to the bereaved families”.
Free State police have said the allegations of drivers alternating driving would form part of their investigations.
Meanwhile, Mashatile said on day that while the process of identifying the bodies would be a long one, it had been going according to plan. He said a memorial service would be held tomorrow afternoon and that the funeral would be a joint one on Saturday.
According to the ANC, only nine families would be involved in the joint funeral. One of the victims, Vusi Nkabinde, 42, would be buried in KwaZulu-Natal.
THE VICTIMS
1. Sphamandla Gedle
2. Simphiwe Nhlapho
3. Tiisetso Ntsilo
4. Sesi Mtshali
5. Sana Sibeko
6. Mphikeleli Malindi
7. Gugulethu Sithole
8.Vusi Nkabinde
The Star