Tears and Tributes in Vryheid: Deputy Minister Hlengwa Honors Lives Lost in Ulundi Bus Tragedy
The community of Vryheid stood united in grief as Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, delivered a heartfelt tribute at the funeral service for the 10 EFF members who tragically lost their lives in a devastating bus crash near Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.
The emotional service, attended by families, friends, political leaders, and community members, served not only as a moment of mourning but also as a call for national reflection on road safety and accountability.
In his moving address, Hlengwa expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the national government, describing the deceased as “dedicated citizens who believed in change and gave their lives in the spirit of active democracy.” He paid tribute to their commitment to civic engagement and their role in building a better South Africa.
“This tragedy cuts deep—not just for the EFF, but for our entire nation,” Hlengwa said. “These were lives full of promise, lost too soon on a road that should have led them to a brighter future.”
The crash, which has shaken the province, has reignited urgent conversations around road safety, driver regulation, and public transport conditions in rural areas. Hlengwa committed to ensuring that investigations into the cause of the accident are thorough, and that the Department of Transport will push harder for safety reforms.
The funeral was marked by powerful tributes, hymns, and emotional recollections of the deceased, who were described as passionate and tireless community activists.
As Vryheid mourns, the voices from the service echoed a broader national demand: that their deaths should not be in vain. Deputy Minister Hlengwa’s words left the community with both comfort and conviction—honoring the lives lost while pledging to fight for safer roads and stronger protections for all South Africans.
