The Gauteng Department of Education in collaboration with scholar transport organisations in the province have vowed to do more to protect the lives of learners on the roads.
This was revealed by Tshidi Makwela on behalf of the scholar transport sector during the funeral service of two siblings, Hlompho Mofokeng and Khethelo Zulu, who died following the N12 vehicle accident which resulted in the death of four learners on Monday.
Mfokeng and Zulu were remembered for their love for soccer and A grade performances during a funeral service held at the WJ Mpengesi Primary School in Daveyton on Sunday.
According to the department, the accident involved a collision between multiple vehicles on the N12 westbound near the Putfontein Road off-ramp in Daveyton, resulting in the tragic loss of life of four learners. Last week, provincial spokesperson for the department, Steve Mabona indicated that one of the vehicles involved in the tragic accident was a private scholar transport vehicle.
The learners were reported to be from Tom Newby Primary School, Rynfield Primary School, and an unnamed Early Childhood Centre (ECD).
“The message I have on behalf of the province and five regions of Gauteng schools is that we must make sure that our scholar transport system abides by the rules of the road. We are deeply saddened by what happened and our heart goes out to the families. The Ekurhuleni region will make sure that together with the department of education we stop and put this carnage to an end as we need accountability,” Mabona said.
Speaking on behalf of the department and Gauteng provincial MEC for education, Matome Chiloane, who could not make it to the funeral due to ill health, district director, Makgale Mokola indicated that the past week had also seen a bus accident which killed 13 passengers on Tuesday morning and many other road accidents within the city.
“We are saddened to be gathering at this moment. The week started terribly and was a dark week for the city and the department. Everyone here today can bear testimony to this,” he said.
The children’s grandfather, Lucas Zulu, speaking on behalf of the Zulu family, took pride in his two grandchildren’s love for English, revealing that they loved playing soccer together.
“As a family we raised the two children together and we are saddened by this tragedy. When we found out they died together this brought us so much pain.
“Hlompho and Khethelo were like twins …they always pleaded with me to help them practice football and our last conversation before their death was about football,” he said.
In her heartfelt tribute to her two sons, Yullanda Zulu, the mother of the two sons said the loss of her children was a painful experience for her and the rest of the Zulu family.
“Hlompho, I thank God for choosing me and trusting me to be your mother. It was an honour and jot to raise you…Khethelo, my sweet last born, the hugger, the kisser, the happy chappy. Forever joyful, your humour brightened my dull days,” she said.
