10 killed in tragic bus crash! | Daily Sun

A bus overturned and killed 10 farm workers in the Western Cape. Photo supplied

THE Western Cape farming community is in mourning after 10 farm workers died in a bus accident on Monday, 2 September.

The incident happened at the Van Rhyns Pass between Vanrhynsdorp and Niewoudtville around 5pm.

The bus was travelling from Keimos, taking workers to the Ceres area.

Spokeswoman for the Department of Mobility, Muneera Allie, said 42 workers were on board the bus when it veered off the road.

She said other survivors were rushed to the nearby hospital to receive medical assistance.

A motorist who passed after the incident said the bus crashed and was turned into a heap of metal.

“I knew that a lot of people had died, and others seriously injured. I couldn’t stop since I drive for a courier company, but the scene was bad,” he said.

Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation Executive Director, Billy Claasen, said the bus needs to be thoroughly investigated.

He condemned employers for taking workers from other areas and not employing those close to the farms.

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“The workers were on their way to a sun farm outside Ceres. Allegedly, the company built a large sun farm outside Kenhardt and took workers to the sun farm construction site in Ceres. If this is true, it’s wrong. Where are the people from Ceres and surrounding areas? Or was the weather a case of bringing cheap labour from outside?” Claasen asked.

He conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“Our deepest condolences to the family of the 10 deceased. May your death not be in vain. As painful as it is, we have to take on the capitalists. The Department of Labour will also be on the scene tomorrow. That bus needs to be thoroughly investigated.”

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the incident.

“Police members and emergency personnel were dispatched to the crime scene where they were actively involved in the rescue operation that followed. We can confirm that 29 victims were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment while 10 victims were declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. Van Rhynsdorp police registered a case of culpable homicide for further investigation,” said Swartbooi.