Grief and anger are mounting in Gauteng's Vaal region following a horrific collision that has now claimed the lives of 14 children. The death toll rose after several of the injured learners succumbed to their wounds in hospital, deepening the tragedy for countless families.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The devastating accident occurred on January 17 along the Golden Highway, between Bophelong and Sebokeng near the ArcelorMittal area. A minibus taxi, which was transporting schoolchildren, collided with a truck. 11 students were confirmed dead at the scene, with others passing away later from critical injuries.
Eyewitness accounts provided to authorities suggest the taxi driver was overtaking multiple vehicles recklessly just before the head-on collision. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed the driver had a prior record of being reprimanded for dangerous driving.
In response to the incident, the South African Police Service has opened a case of culpable homicide as investigations into the exact cause continue.
A Father's Unimaginable Pain
Among the young victims was 17-year-old Puleng Maphalla, a Grade 11 learner at El Shaddai Christian School. Her father shared his profound grief with SABC News, painting a picture of a gentle and devout child.
"She is someone who liked singing in the church. She loved the church very much, more than me," he said, recalling the joy of attending service with her just a day before the crash.
The devastated father did not mince words when describing the aftermath. He stated the crash site looked nothing like an accident scene to him. He called it a murder scene, questioning how such an event could be classified merely as culpable homicide. He added that accounts from another motorist supported the claim of reckless overtaking by the taxi driver.
Community and National Mourning
The scene was described as chaotic by emergency responders and residents, with desperate parents rushing to the area upon hearing a school transport vehicle was involved. The scale of the loss has sent shockwaves through the community and the nation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families, stating that the nation mourns the tragic loss of these young lives. The incident has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the critical issue of road safety, particularly for scholar transport in South Africa.
As families struggle to come to terms with their loss, the search for answers and accountability continues, with a community left to heal from a wound that will linger for years to come.
