A devastating road accident in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province has claimed the lives of at least 12 members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, with 32 others injured, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
According to the South African Ministry of Transport, the incident occurred on Monday night when a truck collided head-on with a bus before striking it along the side.
The bus was transporting EFF supporters returning from a political rally held earlier in Umlazi, just 25 kilometres from Durban.
In a statement, the ministry said, “The crash resulted in the tragic loss of 12 lives, with 10 others sustaining serious injuries.”
The victims’ bodies were transported to a morgue in the town of Vryheid.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of the death toll rising, as several injured remain in critical condition.
Remarkably, six passengers walked away from the crash without injury.
Both drivers survived and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The EFF, South Africa’s fourth-largest political party, confirmed that the bus had been chartered to ferry members from the rally.
In a public statement, the party paid tribute to the victims: “The EFF sends its sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives.
These fighters lost their lives after demonstrating their support for the revolution to which they belonged and must be remembered as heroes to whom we owe a great debt.”
The party has called for a full investigation into the cause of the collision, urging authorities to ensure accountability and safety on South Africa’s roads, especially during major political mobilisations.
As the country mourns, tributes continue to pour in on social media from across the political spectrum, honouring the memory of those who died in what is now being described as one of the most tragic accidents involving a political movement in recent years.
