Eleven people have died following a devastating bus accident on the N1, about 24km north of Trompsburg in the direction of Edernburg.
The bus that was carrying approximately 60 passengers overturned shortly after 21:30 on Thursday night, leaving multiple people injured and the road completely obstructed. The Free State Department of Health confirmed that the deceased include five children and six adults. The gender of the victims could not be determined at the time of the latest update.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS), law enforcement and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene, where rescue, triage and extrication operations continued. Initial reports from the scene indicated that 14 injured people were found outside the bus. One child was also reported to have been trapped underneath the overturned vehicle.
Emergency personnel are continuing to work at the scene to recover the deceased, treat and assist injured passengers and clear the wreckage.
The department warned that recovering the victims and clearing the accident scene could take more than eight hours. The N1 between Edenburg and Trompsburh was closed in both directions as emergency services continued working at the scene.
Motorists were being diverted via the R717 and drivers travelling from Cape Town towards Bloemfontein should exit the N1 at Trompsburg onto the R717 towards Edenburg and re-join the N1 there.
The Free State Department of health extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the crash, “Condolences to the families and loved of those who lost their lives in the crash and we wish a speedy recovery as emergency operations continue, “said Mondi Mvambi Department of Health Spokesperson.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the cause of the accident, are expected to emerge once authorities have completed their initial investigation.
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Nineteen primary school pupils were rushed to hospital on Wednesday morning after their heavily overloaded scholar transport collided with a hatchback near Katlehong.
Emergency crews responded to the scene on the M7 road near the Tsietsi section shortly before 7:00am following reports of the serious collision.
“A VW micro-bus which supposedly is a 10-seater vehicle, had 20 occupants at the time - driver inclusive,” William Ntladi from Disaster and Emergency Management Services stated in a statement.
Four of the school children sustained serious but stable injuries, while 15 others escaped the impact with minor injuries.
Two young pedestrians waiting nearby for their own school transport were also struck during the collision and required hospitalisation for minor injuries.
All four occupants of the second vehicle involved in the crash received on-scene medical treatment before paramedics transported them to nearby hospitals across Ekurhuleni.
Emergency officers closed the M7 road temporarily to manage the rescue operations and clear the wreckage safely from the busy thoroughfare.
Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) officially launched its 2026 local government election manifesto on Saturday, 15 July, outlining an ambitious plan to improve service delivery, combat corruption and drive economic development in municipalities across South Africa.
Speaking at the party’s 13th anniversary celebration and manifesto launch at Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo, EFF leader Julius Malema also announced the party’s mayoral candidates for 10 strategic municipalities, introducing a mix of senior party leaders, Members of Parliament and public figures who will lead the party’s campaigns in key metros and municipalities ahead of the local government elections.
The candidates include:
• Johannesburg: UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng
• Cape Town: EFF National Chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu
• eThekwini: EFF inaugural Deputy Secretary-General Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi
• Mangaung: EFF Chief Whip in the National Assembly Sam Matiase
• Nelson Mandela Bay: EFF national spokesperson and National Assembly member Sinawo Thambo
• Buffalo City: National Assembly member Mkhululi Dlevu
• Polokwane: EFF Limpopo Provincial Chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo
• Mbombela: Former EFF Secretary-General Godrich Gardee
• Rustenburg: EFF North West Provincial Chairperson Israel Monaise
• Sol Plaatje: EFF Northern Cape Provincial Chairperson Lerato Tito
Launching the manifesto, Malema said many municipalities are struggling with corruption, poor service delivery and failing infrastructure. He said local government should focus on creating jobs, growing the economy and delivering reliable services to communities.
“The EFF manifesto is not just a catalogue of promises. It is a commitment to rebuilding our municipalities as developmental institutions that create jobs, restore technical capacity, support local industries and use public resources to drive economic growth rather than patronage,” said Malema.
In its manifesto, the EFF committed to improving access to water, electricity, sanitation and refuse removal, while prioritising infrastructure maintenance, affordable housing, job creation through municipal projects, support for township economies and stronger action against corruption.
The party also pledged to strengthen municipal policing, improve public safety and promote greater transparency and community participation in local government.
The launch marks the EFF’s formal entry into the local government election campaign as it seeks to expand its influence in municipalities across the country, with a particular focus on strategic metros where coalition governments are expected to remain a key feature of local politics.
A wave of tributes has swept across the Free State following the passing of former ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member, Thembeni "Skully" Nxangisa.
Political leaders, comrades and community members continue to remember him as a fearless servant of the people whose lifelong commitment to the struggle for freedom and public service left an enduring mark on the province and the nation.
Nxangisa, a former member of the Free State Provincial Legislature and MEC, died on Thursday in the presence of his family and friends following a long illness.
Skully, as he was known by his comrades and friends, joined politics in 1982, where he served in youth structures and was later tasked with championing the ideological grounding of the ANC's Political Education Programme.
ANC spokesperson Thabo Meeko described Skully as a true ANC member who remained loyal to the people.
"His loyalty to the people defined his unwavering commitment to the mission of the ANC in liberating Africans in particular and Black people in general," said Meeko. "A lifelong political activist and servant of the people, his involvement in ANC activities began during youth activism against apartheid tyranny. A product of the people's struggle, Cde Thembeni rose through the ranks and was entrusted with leading critical organisational responsibilities, which he performed with distinction."
Apart from serving the ruling party in various capacities and contributing to the strategic direction and renewal of the organisation, Nxangisa served the people of the Free State as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) from May 2019 until October 2021, and subsequently as MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development until March 2023.
He was elected to the Free State Provincial Legislature in May 2019.
In these roles, he worked tirelessly to improve municipal governance, support traditional institutions, and revitalise the agricultural sector, always with a special focus on empowering young people and advancing food security.
"The ANC Free State extends its deepest condolences to the Nxangisa family, his comrades, friends, and all who were touched by his life and work. We have lost a dedicated cadre, a selfless public servant, and a passionate advocate for the youth and the poor," said Meeko.
Former ANC Provincial Secretary William Bulwane, a close friend of the late Nxangisa and the family's spokesperson, said details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
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