/ 6 October 2003

Crash claims lives of six journalists

Two sports journalists are still in a serious condition and one is stable following an accident on the R59 outside Alberton on Saturday that claimed the lives of six reporters, the Gauteng sports and recreation department said on Monday.

Fourteen journalists and a driver were returning after covering the Masakhane games in Vanderbijlpark. The injured were admitted to local hospitals.

Department spokesperson Danny Goulkan said on Monday the victims could not be named until all the bodies were identified by their next-of-kin, some of whom had to travel from other provinces to Gauteng.

”Two people at Johannesburg General hospital are still in a serious condition, while one person who is at the Natalspruit hospital is in a stable condition. One of the three people includes the driver.

”The remaining five victims were treated and discharged by Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Beeld newspaper has named five of the dead as Charles Khumalo from City Vision, Isaac Khoza from East Coast Radio, Peter Buthelezi and MM Mnini from Yfm, and Adolph Nyathi.

A report that victim Adolph Nyathi was from the Sunday Sun was not correct, the newspaper said on Monday. However, the Sunday Sun also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The accident occurred at about 6.45pm when a tyre burst. The driver of the minibus apparently lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road rolling several times before landing on its roof.

On Sunday, Vaal Rand police spokesperson Captain Shado Mashobane said a culpable homicide docket would be opened and investigations were under way to determine whether a charge of reckless and negligent driving could be made against the driver. — Sapa