Two students of the University of Limpopo and one attached to the University of Venda lost their lives, following a bus accident in Giyani last Saturday.

It is alleged that the bus was taking the students to the funeral of a student leader in Mhinga village near Malamulele, when its front left tyre burst, resulting in the driver’s losing control of the vehicle. The bus then swerved off the road and hit several trees before coming to a standstill against one of the trees along the road.

According to the Mopani police spokesman, Sup Moatshe Ngoepe, the victims died on impact. The incident took place a few kilometers from Giyani.

Ngoepe confirmed that, apart from the three students who were killed, 43 of them were taken to Nkhensani Hospital in Giyani for treatment. He added that the driver of the bus had been arrested and would face charges of culpable homicide.

The deceased are Doreen Nhlangwana, Mizah Mashele of the University of Limpopo, and Wisani Mabuza of Univen. "It appeared that the bus was not roadworthy and the 37-year-old driver was arrested for reckless driving," Ngoepe said.

Nhlangwana was a BCom, student while Mashele was doing her honors in developmental studies. Wisani Mabuza (22) is said to have been visiting a friend and decided to take the trip with the students.

The spokesperson for the Limpopo Health Department, Mr Phuti Seloba, said that only three of the injured students were still in hospital and they were transferred to the provincial hospital in Polokwane.