One Child Dies And 14 Injured After KwaMashu Scholar Transport Taxi Overturns

A child has died and 14 others were injured after a minibus taxi transporting children from daycare centres overturned in Mount Moriah, KwaMashu, on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed the injured children to hospital for treatment following the crash involving a scholar transport vehicle. Authorities have since opened an investigation to determine what caused the accident.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said officials were immediately sent to support the affected families at the hospital.

“We immediately assigned a team to visit the injured children and parents at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital,” Duma said on Thursday.

Officials from the provincial department also briefly met members of the South African Police Service, who have begun investigating the incident.

Investigation Into KwaMashu Scholar Transport Crash Underway

According to the department, the owner of the minibus taxi told authorities that the driver had reported brake failure as the cause of the crash. However, the driver has since disappeared following the incident.

“The MEC has called upon the driver, who has since disappeared, to hand himself over to the police.”

Duma confirmed that investigations into the vehicle and the circumstances of the crash are continuing. “Our Road Traffic Inspectorate is working with Saps as part of investigating the roadworthiness of the minibus taxi.”

Provincial Departments Mobilised To Support Injured Children And Families

Several provincial departments have been deployed to assist the injured children and their families.

Duma said KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane would oversee medical care for those injured, while MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka would coordinate interventions focused on the wellbeing of pupils 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,” he said.

Duma added that the provincial executive council would work together to ensure an integrated response to support those affected by the crash.

MEC Expresses Condolences After Child Dies In Scholar Transport Accident

Duma also extended condolences to the family of the child who died in the crash.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of a child [who] died tragically in a school transport accident yesterday afternoon,” he said.

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He said the emotional toll of the incident would likely remain with the children for a long time.

“The traumatic experience which the children have had to endure will take many years to heal.”