A municipal worker was killed and seven others injured when a vehicle transporting them to work veered out of control and plunged down a steep embankment outside Grahamstown this morning, Monday 3 February.
A municipal worker was killed and seven others injured when a vehicle transporting them to work veered out of control and plunged down a steep embankment outside Grahamstown this morning, Monday 3 February.
Eyewitness Xolani Ngqoyiya said the accident occurred shortly after 8am. He was on his way to school.
Ngqoyiya said he saw the white Mazda bakkie spiralling out of control at the top of Dr Jacob Zuma Drive, as it passes the kaolin cuttings.
He said it veered down the embankment in his direction and came to a halt in a clump of bushes.
Makana Municipality's communications officer Yoliswa Ramokolo confirmed that the young woman who died was employed in the municipality's Department of Parks and Recreation.
Ramokolo confirmed that all the passengers were municipal employees and had been on their way to work.
She said the driver lost control of the vehicle after a tyre burst.
When Grocott's Mail arrived at the scene, workers in municipal uniforms were retrieving their colleagues' belongings. These included uniforms and lunch packs from the bushes.
Fire fighters, police and paramedics had already removed the injured from the wreckage and taken them to Settlers' Hospital.
Assistant manager of Parks and Recreations Kevin Bates said the deceased was a young lady from Joza.
Police spokesperson Mali Govender was locked in a meeting when Grocott's Mail approached her for comment. She promised to provide an official statement later.
