Sandiso Phaliso and Carlo Petersen
A CHARGE of culpable homicide has been opened following the deaths of eight Correctional Services officials in an accident outside Swellendam yesterday morning.
Police spokesperson Bernadine Steyn said the accident happened when a truck collided with a stationary bakkie, then veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with a minibus transporting Correctional Services staff working at the Buffeljagsrivier prison.
“Seven of the nine occupants in the minibus died on the scene and another occupant passed away in a hospital in Swellendam,” said Steyn.
She said one of the four occupants in the bakkie had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Swellendam.
“The other three occupants sustained no visible injuries,” said Steyn.
The driver of the truck was taken to hospital with less serious injuries.
Correctional Services provincial commissioner Delekile Klaas said yesterday that they would not be releasing the names of the deceased as their next of kin had not yet been informed.
Klaas described the news as a “great sadness and shock”.
“Our deepest condolences go to all members of the family. The Department of Correctional Services has been dealt a major blow by this accident as we face a staff shortage challenge. Losing an official is a serious setback.
“We will do everything in our power to assist where we can,” said Klaas.
The N2 remained closed for most of yesterday morning as officials investigated the scene, then cleared the area, causing a massive traffic jam.
Many parents were unable to transport their children to school, while others decided not to even take their children because the school road crosses the N2 where the accident occurred, Swellendam municipal manager Cecil Africa said. Because the road was closed for four hours, said Africa, “there was a huge build-up of traffic on either side of the accident scene.”
Three pupils at Swellendam High lost parents in the accident, while a primary school pupil is mourning a parent.
A pastor and social worker were on hand at both schools to counsel the children.