Tragedy struck in South Africa as a train collided with a school bus, resulting in the death of five children and injuring 20 others near the village of Mafube. The incident, which occurred close to the city of Middelburg, prompted Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa to express his heartbreak over the loss. The bus driver fled the scene following the accident, while the train driver and crew escaped unharmed.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy called for a heightened road safety campaign for scholar transportation, citing this as the second major crash involving a scholar transport vehicle in the country this month. This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the need to protect our children on the roads.
South Africa, despite having a developed road infrastructure, faces challenges in road safety due to reckless driving and unroadworthy vehicles. Privately owned minibus taxis are a common mode of transport for many South Africans, including school children. This tragedy underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of our young ones during their daily commutes.
Source: PunchNG