President Cyril Ramaphosa Expresses Grief Over the R21 Bus Tragedy Claiming 16 Lives
Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his sorrow over the loss of 16 lives in a bus accident on the R21, close to OR Tambo International Airport earlier today.
Initial reports from the scene of the bus crash on Tuesday morning, March 11, 2025, indicated that 12 individuals had perished; however, the number of fatalities has now risen to 16.
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“President Cyril Ramaphosa is profoundly saddened by the reported deaths of 16 individuals in a bus accident on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport earlier today, Tuesday, March 11, 2025,” stated the Presidency in a release.
“The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and wishes those affected by the incident a rapid and complete recovery.
“President Ramaphosa’s thoughts also go out to the families of at least nine bus passengers who tragically lost their lives in an incident in KwaZulu-Natal this past weekend, where 39 individuals were also injured.”
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Addressing the recent road tragedies, President Ramaphosa remarked: “While the causes of these tragic events are still under investigation, we are reminded that such calamities leave not only physical wounds but also emotional trauma that affects family dynamics and the lives of survivors.”
President Ramaphosa emphasized that incidents like these have a significant impact on people’s ability to earn a living.
“They affect our health services and emergency response; they increase insurance costs and lead to costly vehicle repairs, as well as impact businesses that lose employees in these incidents,” the President stated.
“As we remember the lives that have been lost, we must also consider the responsibility and actions of everyone who operates a vehicle, large or small, in our nation.
“When we inquire about the safety of our roads, we should be asking how safe we are as drivers and pedestrians. Human error, rather than enforcement or road conditions, is the primary cause of accidents.”
“Drivers must ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and adhere to traffic regulations, which are designed for our safety.
“When drivers neglect these rules, they risk their lives or face serious injury. And should they survive, they may end up facing justice in our courts and correctional facilities.”
