Survivor tells of crash horror that killed 11

21 August 2016 - 02:00 By MONICA LAGANPARSAD and KHANYI NDABENI
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A survivor of the horror crash that left 11 SANDF members dead in the Free State on Friday has told how the bus careened out of control before overturning.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Masipa-Nqakula visits injured soldier Delta Mahuleke in hospital.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Masipa-Nqakula visits injured soldier Delta Mahuleke in hospital.
Image: Simphiwe Nkwali

Corporal Jabu Selebi said the bus began picking up speed due to the decline.

"It was gaining speed fast and the driver couldn't apply brakes because [the tyres weren't] gripping," said Selebi, who suffered minor injuries.

He said the bus went around the curve fast and rolled down the hill.

"When the bus came to a standstill I got up. I was dizzy and the driver was out of the bus. There was a lot of people lying outside the bus. It happened so fast."

About 40 women and two men from the SANDF were en route to the Basotho Cultural Village near Golden Gate Highlands National Park nature reserve near QwaQwa when the crash occurred.

All members were stationed at the Department of Defence Mobilisation Centre at De Brug in Bloemfontein.

Military officials have completed the grim task of notifying the families of the women who were killed.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula yesterday visited some of the 31 injured in hospital in Bloemfontein.

SANDF spokesman Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga said the army had been planning to treat the women to a weekend at the resort in celebration of Women's Month.

"It appears that the driver lost control of the bus and it overturned.

"Three of the women are critical while 28 suffered minor injuries," he said.

Mabanga said the military was in a state of "shock" and was in the emotional and traumatic process of contacting the families with the tragic news.

According to the resort's manager, Oupa Mokoena, the group had been booked for a 30-minute tour of the Basotho Museum.

He said the group was 7km away from the museum when the accident happened.

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