A child was killed and 14 were injured when a scholar transport taxi overturned in Mount Moriah, KwaMashu on Wednesday afternoon.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
One child has died and 14 others were injured after a scholar transport minibus taxi overturned in Mount Moriah in KwaMashu on Wednesday afternoon.
The children were travelling from daycare centres when the crash occurred. There has been a recent nationwide campaign to tackle unroadworthy vehicles in the scholar transport sector with the Road Traffic Management Corporation reporting that some operators were still flouting the laws.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed condolences to the family of the child who died in the tragic incident.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of a child that died tragically in a scholar transport accident yesterday afternoon,” said Duma.
He said the injured children were taken to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.
Duma said the driver fled the scene and has not yet reported to authorities.
“The team met briefly with members of the SAPS who have launched an investigation. In addition, the team met with the owner of the minibus taxi who indicated that he received a call from the driver informing him that the accident was caused by brake failures. We are calling upon the driver, who has since disappeared, to hand himself over to the police. Our Road Traffic Inspectorate is working with SAPS as part of investigating the roadworthiness of the minibus taxi.”
He said various departments in the KZN government will be providing much needed service to the affected children, teachers and parents.
“The MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane is ensuring patient quality care to the injured children. The MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka will be co-ordinating all interventions focusing on the welfare of children and teachers. The MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga will be deploying social workers to provide psychosocial support services and trauma counselling to the children and families.”
In January, 14 school pupils were killed in a taxi crash in the Vaal, Johannesburg. The driver of the taxi Ayanda Dludla is back in court today, Thursday.
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