In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, thirty learners were rushed to Gelukspan Hospital near Lichtenburg in North West after a collision involving their school bus and a minibus taxi. The unfortunate event occurred as both vehicles were transporting a total of 80 learners from RA Kobue Secondary School.
According to the Department of Community Safety, the distressing accident involved a bus carrying 65 students and a taxi with 15. Reports indicate that the taxi, laden with learners and educators heading to the same school, made an abrupt stop after overtaking the bus, leading to the collision.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, promptly taking the injured learners to Gelukspan Hospital for treatment. Following the incident, additional transport has been arranged to ensure that the rest of the learners can safely complete their journeys.
While the department provided a straightforward account of the events leading to the accident, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the province have raised their concerns, attributing the incident to the prevalence of unroadworthy buses. They have issued a call for intervention from Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, demanding urgent action on scholar transport issues in the region.
The clash of narratives highlights an urgent need for scrutiny into the safety standards of school transport, as local authorities work to alleviate concerns and ensure the safety of students. As investigations into the collision continue, the community is left grappling with the ramifications of this distressing event and the systemic issues surrounding transportation for learners.