While returning from an election rally of the African National Congress (ANC), presided over by President Cyril Ramaphosa, nine individuals lost their lives in a bus accident. The incident took place in the early hours of February 25, 2024, as the attendees were traveling back to Mpumalanga province in the eastern region of South Africa from Durban, where the rally was held.

The bus, transporting approximately 70 supporters, swerved off the road and capsized near Paulpietersburg, roughly 223 miles north of Durban. The accident caused nine deaths and 17 injuries, with some victims in critical condition.

The attendees had participated in the ANC’s manifesto unveiling at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, a significant event aimed at gathering support for the upcoming national election slated for May 29. The impending election is seen as a pivotal test for the ANC, which has been at the helm of South Africa’s government for nearly three decades since apartheid ended in 1994. Present opinion polls indicate the party could potentially lose its majority for the first time.

Emergency services and authorities promptly arrived at the crash site. Provincial ANC officials also made visits to both the accident scene and the hospitals where the injured are receiving treatment. The ANC has expressed its profound sadness over the tragic event and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Local law enforcement is currently investigating the cause of the accident. This incident is not the first of its kind involving ANC supporters; a similar occurrence in January resulted in the deaths of six individuals en route to an anniversary celebration in Mpumalanga province.

President Ramaphosa’s electoral pledges to tackle unemployment and end power outages struck a chord with many at the rally. However, the party grapples with considerable challenges, including public discontent over high unemployment levels and a sluggish economy.

Given the impending election, the ANC had arranged transportation for attendees from various parts of the country, a standard practice in South African politics. Regrettably, the return journey proved fatal for some of them.

As the probe into the accident’s cause continues, the primary focus remains on providing support to the injured victims and the families in mourning.