MUSINA - The bus driver who was transporting migrants who were to be repatriated back home had allegedly reached a point of complete tiredness.
This was after he had been driving for an extended period.
This is according to one of the survivors of the bus crash, a bus assistant who was seated in front.
The bus was travelling from KwaZulu-Natal to a repatriation camp in Musina, Limpopo, when it overturned on the N1, killing the driver.
READ | Driver killed after bus crashes en route to repatriation camp
It had departed from Pietermaritzburg and had travelled approximately 1,000 kilometres, having passed the town of Musina, and headed towards the Beitbridge Border Post before it crashed.
The distance between the crash scene and Beitbridge Border Post was over 10 kilometres.
Meaning that the driver was almost there.
The survivor said that during the departure, there was a point where the driver stopped for a nap, but moments later, was woken up by a police officer.
The driver was told to return to Musina to be registered and to have their fingerprints taken, but refused, the survivor said.
“The driver said no, he has to go to the border, where he will check if they instruct him to return to Musina."
Unfortunately, as the driver continued his journey, he was met with an unfortunate accident.
“The driver was already exhausted; he failed to control the bus,” the survivor said.
When the bus crashed, the survivor was ejected through the windscreen, and that was how he survived.
“I was the one who got into the bus and started pulling all the passengers. Unfortunately, the driver passed away.
Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed the crash involving the bus carrying 65 passengers who were en route to be processed by the relevant authorities before being facilitated through the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
READ | Repatriation delays at Beitbridge Border
According to the BMA, upon receiving the report of the accident, officials, including the SAPS, BMA and emergency services, immediately responded to the scene to provide assistance and ensure that the situation was managed safely and efficiently.
The BMA has also reiterated its continued efforts to work closely with relevant authorities to support the ongoing response and facilitate the safe continuation of the repatriation process.
“The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the relevant law enforcement authorities,” BMA said.