Cape Town - The town of Keimoes in the Northern Cape continues to grieve the loss of nine loved ones who were among the victims of the bus crash along Van Rhyns Pass.
The construction workers had spent the weekend with their families and on Monday were on their way to Ceres where they worked at Scatec solar energy farm.
The bus they travelled in, owned by TP Williams Vervoer, reportedly had a tyre burst then veered off the road and rolled down the slope, landing at the foot of the mountain.
The accident happened between Van Rhynsdorp and Calvinia at around 5pm, leaving 10 people, including the driver, dead, with 29 people taken to hospital.
One of the dead, Sebastiaan Nimeerhoudt, 28, had worked for Scatec for a year.
His distraught sister, Desmone Nimeerhoudt, said: “My brother had been working in Kenhardt for the same company, and this year he started working in Ceres. He came back for the weekend, in fact all of them.
“They would come back to the area for a weekend because they worked for a month. Sebastiaan was always happy to come home, because he was working away and so he would appreciate spending time with us.”
She said she heard the devastating news from Sebastiaan’s colleague.
“A guy from his workplace informed us that my brother was one of those who didn’t make it,” Desmone said.
“We have not yet been to the hospital to claim his body because no one has come to us, we only spoke to the mayor. We want to know what happened. After we were told of the accident, we didn’t hear anything else.
“People are broken, none of us expected this, it’s tragic for all of us.”
Kai !Garib Mayor Marshall Matthys said that the whole town was sad.
“Everybody is mourning, in an emotional state; we tried to comfort those affected during the church service yesterday morning. Most of the deceased are from Keimoes and one is from Upington.
“We will have a mass memorial service on Sunday, where our MEC for Social Development will be in attendance.”
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that the driver died in the crash.
“The driver of the vehicle which left the road on Monday in the Van Rhyns Pass is among the 10 victims who were sadly declared deceased.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident now form part of an investigation by integrated specialists to confirm the cause of the crash.
“We appeal to all to allow the investigating team time to conduct their investigation without interference in a bid to present a true and accurate report.”
National Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi sent the department’s condolences to the bereaved families.
“The RTMC (Road Traffic Management Corporation) will investigate the cause of the crash working together with the local traffic authorities,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who can provide details of what transpired has been urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za