Eight mine workers killed in bus accident

Eight mine workers were killed and at least 40 injured when a bus overturned on the R501 in Doornfontein on Friday morning, their employer said.

The bus accident occurred on the R501 in Doornfontein, near Carletonville, at 3.30am, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tshisikhawe Ndou said.

He said that the bus overturned as it was carrying workers from their hostel to shaft number five for their shift.

Ndou said the police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.

Earlier, DRDGold CEO Niël Pretorius said: “I am deeply saddened by our colleagues’ deaths as a result of this morning’s bus accident at our Blyvooruitzicht mine.”

He expressed gratitude to “the many kind and efficient people who rallied so quickly to our assistance”, particularly the assisting police, traffic authorities, emergency rescue personnel and hospitals.

Pretorius said that the company’s priorities were to ensure that injured colleagues received the best possible care and that the next of kin were informed as quickly as possible.

“On behalf of the board of directors of DRDGold Limited, I would like to extend our sympathy to the families, friends and workmates of those who have died,” he said.

On Friday morning, DRDGold created a hotline for employees’ concerned relatives to obtain information. It was set up by DRDGold’s Blyvooruitzicht mine and can be reached on 076 156 8654 or, +27 76 156 8654 for callers from outside South Africa.—Sapa