Condolences pouring to families of Moroke scholar transport fatal crash victims

Moroke – The Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM), Cllr Minah Bahula, alongside the Mayor of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), Cllr Eddie Maila, have on 8 March, visited the families affected by the tragic car accident involving scholar transport at Moroke Village outside Burgersfort.

The fatal accident occurred on Thursday 7 March along the R37 Road at Moroke Village when a minibus taxi ferrying learners to Lesedi Sedi Independent School lost control and overturned.  

Regrettably, the accident has claimed the lives of two young learners, who were identified as Reatlegile Mokoka, an 11-year-old in Grade 6 pupil and Nyakallo Mahlatji, a 7-year-old who was in Grade 2.

Twenty other people, including 18 learners, a teacher and a driver, were injured and rushed to hospital and where they were treated for shock and injuries. The teacher and driver remained in hospital but in a stable condition. Three other learners remained in hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Benon.

In response to the devastating event, Executive Mayor Bahula urged the learner transport industry to prioritize road safety.

She said she is considering convening a multi-sectoral summit with relevant stakeholders to address safety concerns and other issues affecting the industry.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” she said.

A task team, comprising representatives from the SDM and FTLM, has been established to provide support and assistance with the burial arrangements of the two learners.

MEC for Education in Limpopo (LDoE), Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, has expressed her sadness and sent condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery the injured pupils, teacher and a driver.

“This is very devastating and no parent should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child. My heart aches with the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Reckless and negligent driving is unacceptable and will never be tolerated by the department. Rules of the road must be obeyed,” she said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has also extended their condolences to the families of the victims.

Katlego Suzan Phala, DA Spokesperson on Education in Limpopo, said they were devastated with the sad news and call for government to act to ensure safety of learners in the province.

“Although the circumstances around this particular accident are not yet clear, we continue to call for greater cooperation between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport in order to ensure the compliance and the safety of learner transport vehicles in both public and independent schools,” she said. 

Phala added that the Limpopo law enforcement officers must continue to intensify efforts to be more visible, ensure compliance among all motorists, make our roads safer and hopefully avoid such unfortunate tragedies. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents, family and friends of the deceased and we wish a swift recovery to the injured learners,” she said.

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