The family who lost four children in an accident that claimed eleven school children in Carletonville has pleaded with the government to speed up the investigations into the cause of the accident. The four children Sihle, Thato, Reneilwe, and Hlompho Hlalele were part of the 11 children who died yesterday when the taxi they were travelling in caught fire after a bakkie rammed into it yesterday. The mothers of the children, two boys and two girls, are sisters.
THE TAXI WAS NOT SAFE
The learners from both Rockland Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville were travelling to school when the accident happened. Speaking on behalf of the family during a visit by Gauteng Education and Transport MECs Matome Chiloane and Kedibone Diale Tlabela respectively, the deceased children's uncle Aviva Manqa said all they want now are answers to what really happened. "The grandmother of the children told the MECs about the state of the taxi. The seats were not good. They were using buckets and tins," Manqa said. He added that, as much as the family was sad, they were grateful the government was supporting them in their time of grief. "As the family, all we want is for the investigations to be concluded quickly so that we can have closure," he added.
CONDOLENCES FROM THE PRESIDENT
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is deeply saddened by the deaths of the learners and has offered his condolences to the families, friends, fellow learners, and educators of the deceased children. "The loss of such young lives at the start of a new school term touches all of us as a nation. We wish the affected families and school communities the best as they mourn the passing of children who have been deprived of fulfilling their potential and spending their lives with families and friends," Ramaphosa said. Some of the children were burnt beyond recognition, while seven others are still being treated in hospitals. Merafong deputy mayor, Mogomotsi Sello, said DNA tests to identify the deceased who were burnt beyond recognition will start tomorrow with the children's families. "The deceased will only be named after their identities are confirmed," Sello said.
