Roadworthiness of scholar transport vehicle in question after crash

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Gauteng MEC for Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says, they are currently investigating whether the scholar transport vehicle that carried children to school in Merafong, west of Johannesburg on Wednesday was in fact roadworthy.

Eleven children and the driver died on their way to school after the mini-bus they were travelling in was hit from behind by a bakkie, causing it to overturn and subsequently caught alight.

One of the families lost a total of four children from one household who went to Rocklands Primary School in Carletonville.

“This was a private education transport service provider so we don’t have much details because he also passed on. So the message to parents is let’s verify, let’s make sure that kids travel safely to school especially when they use private scholar transport. And to the service providers themselves please care enough for our children,” Diale-Tlabela explains.

VIDEO | Scholar Transport Crash | GP Education officials visit Carletonville family that lost 4 children:

Earlier on Thursday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane paid his respects to the families who lost their children in the tragic accident.

A family representative says the children were sitting on buckets in the taxi.

“We also got a message from the office of the premier that they are also saddened. As the MEC said its a major concern but what really happened? The state of the taxi is still questioned but there was no right chairs, it was just buckets. We wish that investigation can be fast so that we can have closure.”

Scholar Transport Crash | Gauteng education, transport MECs visit families of pupils killed:

Reporting by Monique Lewis