One person was killed, and 109 schoolchildren were injured in a head-on collision on the R510 between Thabazimbi and Northam in Limpopo on Thursday morning, authorities said.

The crash occurred at about 6.10am near Amanda mine in the Waterberg district and involved a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a Volkswagen bus transporting learners.

Departmental spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said preliminary investigations indicate that the Toyota Hilux was overtaking when it collided head-on with the bus.

“The driver of the Toyota Hilux, a 58-year-old man, was fatally injured,” Taueatsoala said.

“All 109 passengers, who were schoolchildren, sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.”

He said 103 learners were transported to Thabazimbi Provincial Hospital, while six were taken to Amandelbult Mine Hospital.

The possible cause of the crash is believed to be reckless driving. Investigations are continuing.

“The department extends its condolences to the family of the deceased driver and wishes the injured learners a speedy recovery,” Taueatsoala said.

“We urge all road users to exercise caution and to obey traffic rules, especially when transporting vulnerable passengers such as schoolchildren.”

Meanwhile, the department confirmed that 11 scholar transport vehicles were impounded on Wednesday in Ladanna, Polokwane, during a targeted law enforcement operation by the Public Transport Unit.

The vehicles were found to be operating in violation of transport legislation, including non-compliance with permit conditions, roadworthiness standards and safety regulations governing the transportation of learners.

“Such conduct places the lives of children at serious risk and undermines government’s commitment to learner safety,” Taueatsoala said.

He said the department would not tolerate lawlessness in the scholar transport sector.

“The safety of learners is a non-negotiable priority. Operators who flout the law will face decisive action, including vehicle impoundment, fines and possible criminal prosecution.”

The operation forms part of an ongoing, province-wide enforcement programme aimed at restoring compliance in the scholar transport industry. Similar operations are continuing across Limpopo, he said.

Taueatsoala also called on parents and guardians to ensure that transport services used for their children are legally registered and meet all safety requirements.

“Scholar transport operators are warned to regularise their operations immediately. Failure to do so will result in firm action by authorities,” he said.

The Limpopo crash comes as the country is still reeling from a tragedy in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, where 14 pupils were killed in a collision involving a scholar transport vehicle and a truck.

The horror crash occurred on Monday.

The driver, Ayanda Dludla, 22, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark magistrate’s court on Thursday on 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. 

He has abandoned his bail application and is expected to return to court on March 5.

IOL News

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