Nine people were killed in a bus crash on the N2 between Mandeni and Stanger on Sunday. Picture: IPSS
Image: IPSS
An investigation is expected to begin on Monday in connection with the fatal bus crash, in which nine people died, on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Sunday.
In a statement, KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said that the bus will be retrieved from the site and sent to the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) offices in Gingindlovu.
"This will enable the SAPS, Road Traffic Management Corporation and RTI to conduct an investigation."
It was reported on Sunday that the bus, carrying church members from the Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity, in the KwaDukuza Local Municipality crashed while travelling on the N2 between Mandeni and Stanger.
It went down a steep embankment and Duma said the rescue and retrieval operation to recover the victims from the scene took several hours due to the terrain. He said the RTI, Traffic departments - Fire and Disaster Teams from Mandeni, KwaDukuza and SAPS were involved in the operation.
"The team conducted a very complicated search and rescue operation due to the steep embankment and thick bush. The operation was completed at 23h30 and no victim was found left in the wreckage."
Duma conveyed his condolences to the Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity and the families of the deceased.
"The department will be in touch with all families and the leadership of the Church starting from today. We want to ensure that the victims are given a dignified funeral. Importantly, we pray to God to shine his face on the families, relatives, church members and those who were injured."