Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
By Mpho Moloi
A total of 22 Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters have been injured in a bus accident in Vryheid, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday morning. The bus, carrying party members from Gauteng to Ulundi for the IFP’s 50th-anniversary celebration, overturned on the R34 near Lakeside, leaving several passengers hurt but fortunately no fatalities reported. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has launched an investigation to uncover the cause of the crash.
Bus Overturns on R34, Injuring IFP Members
The accident happened between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM on Sunday, 23 March 2025, as the bus travelled along the R34 route just outside Vryheid. According to preliminary reports from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), the driver failed to navigate a stop sign at a T-junction, causing the vehicle to overturn. The IFP supporters were en route to the Prince Mangosuthu Regional Stadium in Ulundi, where the party was set to mark its 50-year milestone with over 30,000 attendees expected.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that the bus belonged to Sun Coaches Bus Company. “The latest preliminary report, which we received at 09:30, indicates that the bus driver was speeding,” Duma said in a statement. He added, “We will have no mercy on him. We want to teach him a lesson for others to learn that Alufakwa KwaZulu-Natal – There is Zero Tolerance in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Of the 22 injured, three passengers suffered critical injuries, eight had moderate injuries, and 11 sustained minor injuries but were able to walk. Emergency teams treated most victims on-site, while four were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent care. IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa told SABC News, “The four have been taken to hospital, and others are receiving medical attention on-site.”
Investigation Underway as Authorities Respond
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has tasked road traffic inspectorate officers with digging deeper into the incident. Speaking to reporters, MEC Duma said, “They are checking what might have disturbed. It might be different causes. We wouldn’t want to pre-empt. We are just going to wait for a proper report at the end of the day. What we are delighted about is that there are no fatalities.”
Duma, who was wrapping up a busy long weekend of road safety campaigns, expressed relief that no lives were lost. “Sadly, as we wrap up the long weekend, I received a report from our highly efficient team from Road Traffic Inspectorate informing me about a bus accident on R34 near Vryheid,” he said. The MEC has promised tough action against the driver if speeding or negligence is confirmed.
IFP leadership quickly mobilised to support the injured supporters. Hlengwa noted, “The provincial chairperson of Gauteng, Bonginkosi Dlamini, is en route to Vryheid, and we have requested the leadership to make sure they are on site.” The party expressed disappointment that the injured members would miss the historic celebration but remained grateful for their survival.
IFP’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Overshadowed
The bus accident cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyous occasion for the IFP. Founded on 21 March 1975 by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the party was commemorating five decades of history with a major event in Ulundi. Party president Velenkosini Hlabisa and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli were among the key figures expected to address the crowd. Buthelezi’s son, Zuzifa, was also listed as a speaker.
Earlier this year, Hlabisa described the milestone as a celebration of unity and service. “From its very foundation, the IFP has been home to people of goodwill, drawing us together under a common banner of all those who seek peace, prosperity, justice and freedom,” he said. The event at the Prince Mangosuthu Regional Stadium aimed to honour the party’s legacy while rallying supporters for the future.
IFP Youth Brigade national secretary Mlungusi Mabaso, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, said, “We are disappointed that the injured comrades will not be part of today’s celebrations as we mark this huge milestone. We hope they would have recovered by the time we host the Gauteng leg of the celebrations.”
Road Safety Concerns in KwaZulu-Natal
The Vryheid crash adds to growing concerns about road safety in KwaZulu-Natal, especially during high-traffic events. Just weeks ago, on 24 February 2024, nine African National Congress (ANC) supporters died in a bus accident near Paulpietersburg while returning from the party’s election manifesto launch in Durban. That incident, also on the R33, highlighted the dangers of speeding and poor driver discipline.
Arrive Alive, a road safety initiative, reported that three of the Vryheid crash victims were trapped under the bus, requiring swift intervention from emergency crews. The organisation urged drivers to prioritise safety, especially when transporting large groups.
In a separate incident on Saturday, 22 March 2025, three people died in a head-on collision on the R61 near the Wild Coast Sun, further underscoring the province’s road safety challenges. Authorities closed that route for three hours as they cleared the wreckage.
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