Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Fezeka Nkomonye, was said to be still battling to come to terms with the passing of three netball players and an official from the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape.
The netball team and officials were travelling to the Spar Netball Championships in the Western Cape, when the bus they were travelling in overturned near Aberdeen around 04:00 in the morning on December 5.
Netball South Africa confirmed that the individuals who lost their lives were Nocamagu Mvunyiswa (coach), Phelo Charles (player), Indiphile Mfengu (player) and Thabisile Maxikika (player).
Nkomonye’s spokesperson, Busisiwe Jemsana-Mantashe, said the MEC had requested a full report on the circumstances surrounding the accident and further conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
A total of 34 occupants, including a driver and his assistant, were in the bus when the accident occurred.
“According to the preliminary information a bus that was coming from Cape Town overtook a Toyota Avanza and faced the oncoming bus that the players were travelling in.
“The driver of the bus with the players and officials then swerved to avoid the oncoming bus from Cape Town and that is when he lost control and the bus overturned,” said Jemsana-Mantashe.
She further said Nkomonye visited the scene of the accident on December 5 and further visited the mortuary where the deceased were being kept, as well as those who were admitted in various hospitals.
Jemsana-Mantashe said the OR Tambo District netball team would no longer be taking part in the championships that were scheduled to start on December 6.
Netball South Africa stated that after consultation with the relevant stakeholders, a decision to carry on with the tournament was made.
On Monday, Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane led a candle light ceremony in memory of the lives that were lost.
