Parliament, Friday, 2 August 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, has noted with great sadness the loss of five young lives in a horrific crash between a bus and a train earlier this week in Mpumalanga.
“It is indeed a great loss. We note more and more accidents on our roads that take the lives of innocent young learners. The youth are the future of our country. These learners will now never reach their full potential to contribute to the growth of South Africa,” said Ms Maimela.
According to reports, the five learners died when a bus they were traveling in and a train collided on the R104 Road near Mafube Village, between Wonderfontein and Arnot on Wednesday. A further 11 learners were reported to be injured in the crash.
“This is indeed a great loss. We mourn with the parents, families, school community and all those affected by this accident and we wish the injured a speedy and complete recovery,” said Ms Maimela.
She appealed to the providers of scholar transport and public transport owners to screen drivers before hiring them to ensure they are fit to be trusted with transporting passengers.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION, JOY MAIMELA
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E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
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