A minibus taxi crash on Monday morning has left at least 20 children injured in KwaZulu-Natal, adding to a recent string of horrific accidents involving school transport in the province. The incident occurred on the P127, where the taxi veered off the road and plunged several metres down the KwaKhetha Bridge.
The tragedy was compounded by the fact that the driver of the minibus fled the scene, leaving the injured children behind. This detail was confirmed by the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who expressed his frustration. "Most disturbing is that the taxi driver disappeared, and law enforcement agencies are looking for him," Duma said.
The injured learners were from Matomela High School, Luthando High School, and Sthunjwana Primary School. They were transported to Gomane Clinic and Harry Gwala Regional Hospital for medical attention.
This latest accident is particularly alarming as it is the third involving school pupil transport in the Umgungundlovu District within just four days.
The string of tragedies began on Thursday, 11 September, when four pupils died and several others were hospitalised in a minibus crash in Pietermaritzburg. In that incident, the driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle on a twisty road after its brakes reportedly failed, causing the taxi to plough into a crèche. The KZN Transport Ministry has since ordered an urgent probe into that specific crash.
The following day, Friday, 12 September, brought yet another accident in the province, where six people, including three children, were injured. This collision occurred on the M13 Durban-bound near Maytime Spar in Kloof when a truck lost control and ploughed into two light motor vehicles just after 12:30 pm.
In the wake of these recurring incidents, MEC Duma has issued a call to action. "We are calling on the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in KwaZulu-Natal to come closer to these accidents involving taxi associations," he said.
Duma also highlighted a broader context of public safety, citing worrying statistics from the Automobile Association. According to the AA, "70,000 minibus taxi crashes annually, with taxis experiencing double the crash rate of other passenger vehicles."
Follow Us on Twitter
