Five learner victims of car accident laid to rest

HLOGOTLOU – Five girl learners, aged between 15 and 18 years-old, from Mashego Secondary School in Monsterlus outside Groblersdal, who died during a car accident along the R574 Road near Mantrobi Lodge Bridge last Tuesday, were on Sunday laid to rest in their respective villages of Sephaku and Kgaphamadi.

The five’s emotional mass funeral, attended by Limpopo Community Safety and Transport MEC, Namane Masemola among others, was held at Kgaphamadi Sports Grounds.

Beauty Mtshweni, Pearl Rakgalakane both from Sephaku, Lucy Monareng, Chantel Monareng and Karabo Moganeng from Kgaphamadi met their untimely death when the vehicle they hitchhiked on their way back home from school, after writing Agricultural Science and English examinations, rolled several times near the bridge.

According to police the driver of the vehicle has since been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and will also face five counts of culpable homicide.

Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said the driver and his crew were the only survivors of the fatal accident.

Mojapelo said the 29 year-old driver was currently under police guard in hospital and would appear in absentia in the Nebo Magistrates Court facing charges of drunken driving and culpable homicide.

Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, Limpopo South African Police Service (Saps) Provincial Commissioner, strongly warned drivers to desist from drinking and driving as police would be uncompromisingly determined to deal with drunk drivers during roadblocks and stop and searches.

Police investigations are continuing.