• Ekurhuleni officials claim the bus that crashed on the R21 killing 13 people was roadworthy and not overloaded when it left the depot.

• This was the third major accident in Ekurhuleni this week, following crashes that killed four children on Monday and injured 19 on Wednesday.

The Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, says the bus involved in Tuesday’s deadly R21 crash had passed safety checks before leaving the depot that morning.

Preliminary investigations revealed the bus was roadworthy and the driver was properly trained to operate a vehicle of that size.

The city has confirmed that 13 passengers have died – 12 at the scene and one later at Tambo Memorial Hospital.

A total of 77 people were rushed to hospital, including the driver, who has since been discharged from Dalview Hospital on Wednesday.

MMC for Roads and Transport, Andile Mngwevu, said the bus was not overloaded, as it was carrying 89 passengers.

“It is certified to carry 90 passengers, with 66 seated and 24 standing. The commuter buses are not fitted with safety belts or cameras, but luxury buses are,” he said.

Officials are waiting for RTMC camera footage to determine if another vehicle might have caused the driver to hit the emergency brakes.

“We are still waiting for RTMC camera footage to be downloaded so we can see if there was any car that could have disturbed the driver that he had to hit on the emergency brakes,” said Mngwevu.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed that a case of culpable homicide against the driver has been registered for further investigation.

This was the third serious accident on Ekurhuleni roads this week.

On Monday, four children died when an EMPD officer travelling in a state vehicle hit a scholar transport carrying eight children.

On Wednesday, 19 children were injured when a bus taking them to school crashed into an articulated truck trailer in Wadeville.

The MMC for Public Safety, Masuku, confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened against the driver of the state vehicle involved in Monday’s crash.

Pictured above: The media briefing.

Image source: Doreen Mokgolo