The Police in Westenburg outside Polokwane have arrested the driver of the bus involved in the horrific accident that claimed nine lives on the N1 on Friday September 21.

“He tried to cross the border to Zimbabwe after he was taken to hospital with the other 51 injured passengers for medical treatment,” Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.

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According to Ngoepe, the bus driver disappeared after he was discharged from the hospital and fled towards the Beit Bridge port of entry.

“The Police were tipped-off, they swiftly responded and subsequently the driver was caught hidding inside a goods trailer trying to illegally cross the border to Zimbabwe,” Ngoepe said.

The bus driver will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate Court on Tuesday on nine counts of culpable homicide and on possible additional charges.

It is alleged that the bus was travelling from the direction of Polokwane towards Gauteng Province when the driver lost control and it overturned.

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The bus was carrying 61 occupants including the driver and crew members.

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Nine out of 61 passengers were certified dead at the scene. The injured passengers, including the driver were taken to different hospitals for medical treatment.

The identification process of all the deceased is still unfolding.

Police investigations are continuing.