The Zulu Royal Household says it is saddened by the deaths of ten young women who were killed in a bus accident in KZN.
The bus came from a reed dance ceremony in Nongoma, when it overturned on the R66 outside Eshowe.
Nine passengers died at the scene of the crash and one more succumbed to her injuries last night.
Sixty-two others were injured in the accident.
Senior members of the royal house have visited the scene of the crash.
Investigations are underway into the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile the ANC Women’s League responded by saying they were saddened by the reports.
Deputy president of the ANCWL, Nosipho Dorothy Ntwanambi, said it was unfortunate that the incident occurred shortly after the end of Women’s Month.
“Without a doubt, young women represent a shining star upon whom the generations before them pin our hopes for the continued realisation of a South Africa that is better today than it ever was,” said Ntwanambi.
“It is for these young women who shall never see our tomorrow and many more in the country that the ANCWL steadfastly continues to organise women, young and old, and across all racial and cultural divides for total women’s emancipation.”
The African National Congress Women’s League extended its condolences to the families of the women.
Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo confirmed that nine girls and one adult had died in the crash.
Earlier Netcare 911 officials said 62 others had been injured when the bus overturned, slid down the road and smashed into steel barriers.
“Paramedics… arrived at the scene and found that the barriers had pierced through the front of the bus,” said ER24 spokesman Chris Botha.
KZN Transport MEC Willies Mchunu has instigated a probe into the crash.