MPUMALANGA – A chilling tragedy has struck in the small village of Mafube, nestled between Wonderfontein and Arnot, following the devastating loss of five young lives in a horrific train-school bus collision on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred along the R104.
A mangled white bus lies twisted and broken, a testament to the sheer force of the collision. The train, its journey abruptly halted, stands as a silent witness to the carnage.
According to Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson for the province's community safety, security and liaison department, the bus, carrying 30 pupils, was believed to have crossed the railway line while the train was approaching. The impact was immediate and devastating, claiming the lives of five children instantly, while leaving 11 others critically injured.
“It is alleged the bus crossed the railway lane while the train was too close. As a result, five school learners lost their lives instantly and 11 sustained serious injuries," Mmusi confirmed, his voice heavy with the weight of the tragedy.
The bus driver, thankfully, sustained only minor injuries, while the train driver emerged unharmed. However, the true cost of this accident is measured in the young lives lost and the families left shattered.
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the accident scene, emergency services worked tirelessly to tend to the injured and to ensure that all the children were accounted for. The scene remained active well into the evening, with paramedics battling to stabilise the critically injured and officials desperately searching for any missing pupils.
“At this stage, 25 learners are accounted for. We are still looking into the other five and whether they were in fact on the bus," Mmusi said, his voice laced with a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.
Just a month ago, 11 pupils were tragically killed in a horrific scholar transport vehicle accident in Carltonville, Gauteng. These accidents, with their devastating consequences, have sparked a renewed call for stricter safety measures and a greater emphasis on road safety education.
The children, who were on their way home from school, were travelling in a white bakkie when it collided with a mini-bus taxi, causing it to roll and burst into flames. The scene was one of unimaginable horror, with the children burned beyond recognition.
"This tragedy, which regretfully is not the first of its kind to confront us, demands that we exercise our obligation to protect our children with the utmost care," President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the time, offering his condolences.
The latest tragedy in Mpumalanga has once again brought the issue of road safety to the forefront of national discourse. South Africa, despite boasting one of the most developed road networks on the continent, continues to grapple with a dire road safety record. This grim reality is attributed to a myriad of factors, including reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and a lack of proper enforcement of traffic regulations.
The pain of this latest tragedy is compounded by the fact that it occurred just weeks after another horrific accident claimed the lives of 12 children in July. A minibus carrying children to school overturned and burst into flames after being hit by another vehicle near Johannesburg.
