Johannesburg – Five days after eight people died when a bus collided with a truck in Rustenburg, police are still trying to account for a missing child passenger.
The 25-passenger bus was transporting passengers from the event organised by the Department of Culture Arts and Traditional Affairs in collaboration with Moretele Local Municipality, when it was involved in a crash with a truck.
The crash occurred next to Rustenburg Mall at around 17h30 last Thursday, March 16.
Eight people died and four others suffered critical injuries. Families of the deceased have been informed and they have identified their loved ones.
However, on Tuesday the department said a child who was on the bus was still missing.
"We wish to report that there is still one person missing ... the police are doing everything in their power to find the missing child," the department said in a statement. Culture Arts and Traditional Affairs MEC Ontlametse Mochware and the acting head of department, Jimmy Mawelela, assembled a team of officials from CATA. They spent two days in Rustenburg dealing with the ordeal.
“We are saddened by the untimely loss of precious lives and wish to convey our heartfelt message of condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time and wish those in hospital a speedy recovery,” Mochware said.