Eight on way to Inkatha manifesto launch injured in bus crash

At least eight Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters have been injured in a bus crash on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal.

It is understood three buses were travelling in a convoy to the IFP manifesto launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday when they crashed at Bridge14 at Gingindlovu on the N2.

“Fortunately there were no fatalities. Medical services began the treatment,” said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyerick.

“IPSS Medical Rescue and Advance Life Support have transported eight seriously injured patients, including one critical, to hospital. A mass casualty bus was deployed to treat the remaining patients who have sustained minor injuries.”

Meanwhile, the IFP said it hoped the legacy of its late founding president Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi will attract more votes ahead of the national and provincial elections on 29 May.

The party is on a high after winning the recent municipal and by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal against its political rivals, the ANC.

IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa told The Citizen they are confident about the party achieving success in the upcoming elections, and that Buthelezi’s legacy will attract more votes. “We are for starters doing that [using Buthelezi’s legacy].

“We are pretty confident that it’s going to be a successful manifesto launch which is going to be a launchpad for the 2024 elections.”

Hlengwa said the IFP will have a credible and viable policy alternative for the country. “For the past 20 years, we’ve not been in government whether in a national or provincial level. That has led to the continued collapse of the country economically, socially and politically.

“And therefore this election is about restoring the country onto the trajectory of growth.”