PRETORIA – A catastrophic combination of excessive speed, mechanical failure, and severe overcrowding caused the devastating bus crash that claimed 43 lives in Limpopo last month, according to an official investigation released recently by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.
The preliminary report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) revealed that the foreign-registered bus was traveling “at a speed too high for the conditions” when it failed to negotiate a hairpin bend while descending a mountain pass on the N1 highway in Limpopo on 12 October.
Perhaps most alarming, investigators discovered the bus and trailer had only five out of ten brakes in working condition at the time of the crash – meaning the vehicle was operating with just half its designed braking capacity.
“One brake on the bus had no braking ability whatsoever, and none of the four brakes on the trailer were operational,” the report states. The trailer’s suspension system had also been “poorly repaired,” rendering the entire vehicle unroadworthy.
The investigation concluded that the driver was aware of the braking deficiency and “had adapted his driving style to accommodate this defect” – a finding that raises serious questions about the operator’s safety protocols.
The 62-seat bus was carrying 91 occupants when it crashed, including 11 children aged three to five years old, revealing that the vehicle was overloaded by 23 people.
The attached trailer was also loaded with passengers’ baggage and personal belongings, further compromising the vehicle’s stability and braking performance.
The crash resulted in 43 fatalities and left 34 people with serious injuries. An additional six passengers sustained minor injuries, while eight occupants who refused medical treatment left the scene before their details could be recorded.
The bus, operated by what appears to be DNC Coach company, was traveling from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape to Harare, Zimbabwe, carrying passengers from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Investigators ruled out environmental factors, finding that weather conditions were clear with good visibility. The road surface, markings, and warning signage were all in good condition and “not considered a cause and/or contributory factor to this road crash.”
The report calls for immediate law enforcement operations to inspect foreign-registered vehicles entering South Africa, suggesting this tragedy “might not have occurred” if proper roadworthiness checks had been conducted.
Other recommendations include:
- Enhanced monitoring of heavy vehicles on mountain passes
- Stricter enforcement of load limits
- Mandatory inspections of cross-border bus fleets
Minister Creecy has directed the RTMC to investigate potential culpable homicide charges against the bus company and examine how the vehicle obtained its roadworthy certificate.
“We will work with the Anti-Corruption Unit to establish which road testing centre issued a roadworthy certificate for this bus,” Creecy stated, ordering a comprehensive review of all DNC Coach vehicles operating in South Africa.
The investigation will also examine what happened at weigh bridges where the overloading should have been detected.
The investigation continues, with final findings expected in early 2026. Authorities have not yet announced whether criminal charges will be filed against the bus company or its officials.
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