The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, joined hundreds of mourners in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, 22 June 2025, to pay tribute to 10 party members who tragically lost their lives in a devastating bus accident. The emotional memorial service honoured the lives of the EFF members who died in a horrific collision on the R34 road near Ulundi on 16 June.
The victims were returning from a Youth Day rally held in Durban when their bus collided with a truck. The violent impact of the crash claimed the lives of 10 people, while more than 30 others sustained serious injuries. The tragedy has left the EFF and their supporters in mourning, with tributes pouring in from across South Africa.
Julius Malema, along with senior party officials, members of parliament, and representatives from other political organisations, gathered to offer condolences to the bereaved families. Speaking at the service, Malema reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting the victims’ families both emotionally and financially. The EFF has pledged to assist with funeral arrangements, including hosting a mass funeral for the deceased members.
The fatal incident on the R34 has reignited national concerns about road safety in South Africa, particularly during major public holidays and political events that require large-scale transportation. The Youth Day commemoration, traditionally observed on 16 June, holds special significance in the country’s history, making the accident even more heart-wrenching for the party and its followers.
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South Africans have reacted with sorrow and solidarity. Many took to social media to express their heartbreak over the tragic loss. Desire Van Der Merwe shared: “Always so sad when we lose citizens in vehicle accidents.” Another, Vva Qoto, wrote: “I am not their fan, but when it comes to someone losing his life, it’s bad. Rest easy, guys.” Others offered heartfelt tributes referring to the deceased as “young lions” and “gallant fighters” who deserved to rest in peace.
Sadly, this tragedy is just one in a series of deadly accidents across the country in recent months. In May 2025, five people were killed in Worcester, Western Cape, when a taxi collided with a truck. In another incident in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, a bus plunged off a bridge, killing three people. Mpumalanga also witnessed multiple fatal accidents, with seven people losing their lives in two separate crashes in May. These recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved road infrastructure to reduce fatalities on South African roads.
In a separate incident recently reported, a collision in the Eastern Cape claimed the life of one person and left two others injured. The accident involved a bakkie and a seven-seater vehicle on the R102 between Humansdorp and Tsitsikamma. Authorities have since opened a culpable homicide case against the surviving driver.
As the EFF and the nation continue to mourn, the accident serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for better road safety measures to prevent further unnecessary loss of life.