Another School Transport Tragedy Claims Two Young Lives in South Africa

Two young girls – aged 11 and 14 – were killed in a school transport accident yesterday in Benoni, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA). Twelve other pupils from SPARK Rynfield Primary School, and the driver of the vehicle, have been hospitalised.

Michele Clarke – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Community Safety – said the DA was “saddened by the deaths” and wished the survivors a “speedy recovery”.

According to the accident report, a seven-seater Toyota Avanza was transporting 14 pupils along Cloverdene Road when the driver lost control, hit a lamp-pole and apparently crashed into a vehicle pulling out of a driveway.

The DA said it had been informed that the two girls were both declared dead at the scene of the accident.

“The DA is very concerned with the roadworthiness of scholar transport across the province,” said Clarke.

“This vehicle was overloaded with 15 passengers including the driver, instead of the prescribed number of 7 passengers, which is against the law and has resulted in loss of lives and injuries.”

The DA is calling on Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Vadi to urgently implement a special licencing code for taxis transporting school learners in the province.

Clarke will visit the families of the two school girls who passed away, as well as the recovering pupils in hospital; and has pledged to follow the case and ensure the families of the deceased “get closure and justice”.