South Africa’s Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has confirmed that a bus transporting undocumented migrants to a repatriation centre overturned near a border post, killing the driver and injuring 11 passengers.
South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC, reported that the bus was carrying undocumented Malawian migrants to the repatriation centre in Musina.
The crash occurred about four kilometres south of the Beitbridge Border Post near Musina Local Municipality.
SABC reports that preliminary information released by the department reveals the bus was transporting Malawians from KwaZulu-Natal to the Repatriation Camp in Beitbridge when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle due to fatigue, causing it to overturn.
Emergency response
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 11 injured passengers were taken to Musina Hospital for treatment.
Emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officers and traffic officials remain at the scene, where they are managing the incident and assisting those affected.
Authorities said the road was temporarily closed to allow forensic investigators carry out their work safely.
Motorists travelling through the area have been urged to exercise caution, reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance and obey the instructions of traffic officials as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
Malawians flee South Africa
Thousands of Malawians have been repatriated to their countries as tensions mounted ahead of an unofficial 30 June ultimatum by different protest groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Two Mozambican nationals and a Malawian have been killed in the build-up to the protests.
Meanwhile, police say several people have been arrested for looting or attempted looting during the June 30 demonstrations against undocumented immigrants across the country.
The police ministry says while most of the marches remained peaceful, police officers responded to isolated incidents of criminality.
Law enforcement authorities say they remain on high alert, with increased police deployments to protect businesses and critical infrastructure and maintain public order.
