Report Finds N1 Killer Bus Unroadworthy and Overloaded

(The Post News)– A preliminary inquiry has discovered that the bus, which crashed and killed 43 people on the Limpopo N1 highway, was dangerously overloaded at the time of the disaster and had malfunctioning brakes.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has been driven by the Road Traffic Management Authority’s (RTMC) report to investigate the very suspicious issue of a roadworthy certificate for the vehicle and to seek legal opinion regarding the possibility of charging the bus firm with culpable homicide.

‘Red Flags’: Bus Unroadworthy and Overloaded

The RTMC’s findings are definitive:

• Brakes Failed: Only one of the bus’s five brakes was operational, and the trailer’s entire braking system was defective.
• Excessive Speed: The driver was travelling at a speed too high to negotiate the steep mountain pass.
• Severe Overloading: The 61-seater DNC Coach bus was carrying 91 occupants (passengers from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Congo).

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has been driven by the Road Traffic Management Authority’s (RTMC) report to investigate the very suspicious issue of a roadworthy certificate for the vehicle and to seek legal opinion regarding the possibility of charging the bus firm with culpable homicide.

In the meantime, efforts to provide those grieving with closure are coming to a conclusion. On Monday, families will meet with Limpopo officials and representatives from the embassies of Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Supporting the identification process is the goal. In collaboration with local authorities, DNA analysis and fingerprint matching are currently being used, having progressed through post-mortem exams. The government of South Africa has pledged to help repatriate the 43 dead to their nations of origin. Meanwhile, 17 survivors continue to receive treatment in Limpopo hospitals.

About the Author

Malebo Pheme

Author

Malebo Pheme is a Media Studies graduate and journalist with experience across digital, print, and broadcast platforms. Passionate about impactful storytelling, her work often focuses on crime, civic issues, identity, and social justice. She brings integrity, empathy, and a community-focused voice to every story she tells.

View All Posts