President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness following the death of 13 learners when their private scholar transport vehicle collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark today.
Four other learners were admitted to hospital with serious injuries, including the taxi driver.
The learners were on their way to five different schools in Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging.
According to the police preliminary report, the taxi driver was trying to overtake two vehicles, when he collided with a side tipper truck in Fred Droste Road.
Eyewitnesses say the truck driver was trying to swerve to avoid the accident, but it was too little too late.
The Gauteng Education department says 11 learners were certified dead at the scene, with two additional learners’ succumbing to injuries in hospital.
Ramaphosa says his thoughts are with the families, teachers, classmates, and friends of the young victims.
“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets, and we must do all we can, from observing the rules of the road to the quality-of-service providers appointed to transport scholars, to protect learners,” said Ramaphosa.
In addition, Ramaphosa said the national and provincial authorities will provide families and schools with the necessary psychosocial support.
Gauteng Police spokesperson, Brigadier Mavela Masondo, says they have opened a culpable homicide.
“We have opened a case of culpable and will obtain statements from the driver of the truck.
Hopefully, the driver of the taxi will survive and provide us with a statement too.
We have our forensic experts here in the scene and have started with our investigations,” said Masondo.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, says he’s deeply devastated by the accident.
“It really is a tragic day for us as the Department and the province.
We extend our deepest condolences to the learners, families, and school communities affected. We call for greater vigilance when it comes to scholar transports, particularly private scholar transport,” remarked Chiloane, who visited the accident scene.
Chiloane’s sentiments were echoed by the Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube.
“The Minister extends her heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families, friends, classmates, and school communities of the learners who perished in this devastating incident.
She further conveys her wishes for strength and comfort to all those affected during this profoundly difficult time.
As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, the Minister urges motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly during peak school transport hours, and reiterates the importance of ensuring the safety and roadworthiness of all vehicles used to transport learners,” read a statement from Gwarube’s office.
