The Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye says emergency personnel have been on the scene of a horror bus crash on the N1 in Limpopo since Sunday afternoon, which has resulted in the death of 42 people.

The bus, which was travelling from Gheberha to Zimbabwe and Malawi, overturned and plunged down an embankment on the N1 North near Ingwe Lodge, Musina. It is alleged that the bus driver lost control of the vehicle.

The victims are citizens of Zimbabwe and Malawi and include a 10-month-old baby. 38 others were injured and transported to the hospital.

Mathye says crash investigators have not ruled out that the driver may have been fatigued when he lost control of the bus. She says there were two other drivers on the bus. All three drivers are thought to have died.

No other vehicle was involved in the accident.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his deepest condolences to the nations of Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Ramaphosa says his thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased, while he has wished the dozens of injured persons a full and speedy recovery.

“This incident is a tragedy for South Africa and our sister states of Zimbabwe and Malawi alike. This sadness is compounded by the fact that this incident has taken place during our annual Transport Month, where we place a special focus on the importance of safety on our roads.”

The President says South Africa’s roads are economic networks that bring the people of the region together across national borders.

Following the tragedy, he has urged road users, transport operators, drivers and passengers to ensure that they stay safe and that roads are used responsibly and with care for one another.