The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has demanded an investigation into a collision between a bus and a minibus taxi on the N2 in the Eastern Cape which left 12 people dead.

Traffic officials have not been able to establish who the owner of the bus is.

Meanwhile, the union’s Mphumzi Maqungo has also accused bus company Putco of putting profits before safety by using vehicles that are not roadworthy.

“We cannot allow a situation whereby the public is put in mobile coffins by Putco.”

However, Putco’s Raphiri Matsaneng has denied its buses are not roadworthy, as well as deny its drivers are forced to work long shifts.

“Putco drivers are expected to work within working hours as regulated by law and this, the company adheres to… strictly.”

Meanwhile, traffic officials are still trying to identify the 15 victims of two separate accidents in the Eastern Cape.

Arrive Alive’s Tshepo Machea said some of the deceased were going home for Christmas.

“At this stage we are not sure of the names but what we have gathered from the person that was accompanying them in another vehicle… all of them were working in Port Elizabeth so they were heading home for Christmas holiday.”

(Additional Reporting by Danya Philander)