PICS| ‘Death is cruel’: Families mourn 14 pupils killed in Vanderbijlpark crash
Candles and flowers are laid in memory of the 14 pupils killed in a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark during a memorial service in Sebokeng on Friday.
Image: Suppied/GED
“Death is cruel and death steals our kids.”
Those were the words that echoed through the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground Hall on Friday as grieving families gathered for a memorial service honouring the 14 pupils killed in a horror crash in Vanderbijlpark earlier this week.
The service, held in Sebokeng, was marked by raw emotion.
Several family members broke down in tears as proceedings began, while psychological support teams and emergency medical services were on hand to assist mourners.
The crash occurred on Monday, January 19, when a scholar transport minibus taxi collided with a truck on the R533, claiming the lives of 12 children.
Two others later succumbed to their injuries.
Among those who spoke was the mother of Phemello, who conveyed her condolences to bereaved parents, learners and community members.
“I don’t have much to say. To all parents who lost their children, “askies” (I am sorry). To the school children, “askies”,” she said through tears.
Her family is mourning the loss of two children, Lesego Sefatsa, 7, a Grade 2 learner at Oakwood Primary School, and Phehello Motaung, 18, a Grade 11 learner at El-Shaddai Independent School.
A memorial board honours the 14 schoolchildren who lost their lives in a minibus taxi crash on the R533 in Vanderbijlpark.
Image: Supplied/GED
Both were travelling in the minibus at the time of the crash.
Phehello was remembered as a committed church member and a trumpet player, while Lesego was described as disciplined, helpful and gentle.
“All you know is that Phehello was a trumpet master,” the grieving mother said before leading the attendees in an Apostolic hymn.
“Even if it pains me, I will believe in God,” she said.
Quoting scripture, she urged families not to lose faith. “Those who believe in God stand like the mountains of Zion. Even in storms, they do not move. Put your eyes on God, because our help comes from the Lord.”
The family of Naledi Motsapi, a Grade 10 learner at El-Shaddai Christian School, said they remained shattered.
“Our hearts are broken. Our kids are our future,” her cousin said.
“Some of our children were not even covered by funeral policies because we saw a future in them. But death is cruel and death steals our kids.”
The family of Puleng Maphalla, 17, a Grade 11 learner at the same school, described her as a devoted churchgoer.
“We are deeply saddened and beyond words,” her cousin said.
“Puleng loved church with all her heart. She would always go to church first before meeting us.”
He also condemned the circulation of graphic images following the crash.
“I did not need to see those pictures to feel the pain of the parents. The pain was already there.”
Another family member said Puleng’s TikTok videos had become a treasured memory.
“Through her page, we can still see her laughing, dancing and being herself.”
The Maphalla family welcomed the decision to charge the accused with murder rather than culpable homicide.
“This is a case of murder,” the family said. “We are glad the courts are in agreement and we hope justice will prevail.”
Ayanda Dludla, 22, is accused of killing 14 pupils and faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
He made his first appearance in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and has abandoned his bail application. He is expected to return to court on March 5.
The Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) confirmed that Dludla was operating under its association and that complaints had previously been lodged about his alleged reckless driving.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over safety in the private scholar transport sector across Gauteng.
A mass funeral for the pupils is expected to be held on Sunday, January 25, at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng.
Photographs of the schoolchildren who died in a scholar transport crash on the R533 in Vanderbijlpark are shown during the memorial service on Friday.
Image: Supplied/GDE
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to attend a joint funeral service for three of the learners, where he will deliver a eulogy.
Learners who lost their lives:
-Thato Moetji – Grade 12 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
-Sagwadi Mathe – Grade 12 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
-Buhle Radebe – Grade 11 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
-Bokamoso Mokhobo – Grade 8 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
-Sibongile Madonsela – Grade 10 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
-Leano Moiloa – Grade 8 – Vaal High School
-Lesego Sefatsa – Grade 2 – Oakwood Primary School
-Letlotlo Katlego Makwe – Grade 2 – Vaal Triangle Primary School
-Ofentse Jayden Vinger – Grade 1 – Oliver Lodge Primary School
-Lindokuhle Mabaso – Grade 5 – Noordhoek Primary School
-Phehello Motaung – Grade 11 – El-Shaddai Christian School
-Puleng Maphalla – Grade 11 – El-Shaddai Christian School
-Naledi Motsapi – Grade 10 – El-Shaddai Christian School
-Bohlale Lekekela – Grade 1 – El-Shaddai Christian School
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