Death toll in Limpopo scholar transport crash rises to 16
The Transport Department in Limpopo says the number of deaths in the crash between two minibus taxis, which were transporting pupils to school, and a heavy vehicle on the R579 in Motetema has risen to 16.
The department’s spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene says they suspect reckless driving to be the cause of the crash.
“The accident is suspected to have happened when a minibus taxi collided head-on with a truck and another minibus taxi after overtaking unsafely. Law enforcement officers at the scene cite reckless driving as a possible cause of the crash.”
Chuene says six pupils died in the crash.
“One of the minibus taxis involved was transporting learners to school. Drivers of the two taxis and six learners are among the sixteen who have died. Four passengers with serious injuries were transported to a nearby health facility for medical attention.”
Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Florence Radsilani says a separate crash on the R71 has claimed three lives.
“Three other people were also killed in a separate accident on the R71 near Ga -Makanye in the Mankweng area in Polokwane this morning. This happened when a truck ignored a stop and collided side-swipe with a Datsun light motor vehicle, killing all three occupants of the Datsun”.
Radzilani says the number of deaths on the province’s roads remain a concern.
"These accidents are an indication that something is very wrong when it comes to driver behaivour, as these crashes are caused by reckless driving in most instances.”
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