In a devastating incident on Sunday in South Africa, nine individuals lost their lives in a road accident while returning from an election rally led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC).
The accident occurred as the attendees were en route back to Mpumalanga province after participating in Saturday's rally in Durban, as confirmed by the ANC.
The bus, carrying the ANC supporters, veered off the road and capsized, as reported by the police.
Emergency services disclosed that an additional 17 individuals sustained injuries in the mishap near Paulpietersburg, about 360 kilometers north of Durban.
The ANC revealed that several of the injured are in critical condition. In response to the tragedy, ANC provincial officials are en route to both the crash site and the medical facilities where the injured are receiving treatment.
This tragic event unfolded in the wake of the ANC's grand election manifesto launch at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, which saw a massive gathering of supporters on Saturday.
The upcoming May 29 national election presents a significant challenge to the ANC's 30-year governance in South Africa.
Current opinion polls suggest the possibility of the ANC losing its majority for the first time since ascending to power in 1994 after the apartheid era concluded.
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