A devastating minibus accident in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, has resulted in the death of one schoolchild and left ten others injured, with preliminary reports suggesting the driver may have been intoxicated during the incident.
The tragic event occurred when a taxi transporting students from school lost control and tumbled down a steep embankment. KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed receiving disturbing video evidence and photographic documentation allegedly showing the driver in an intoxicated state prior to the crash.
Drunk Driver Causes An Accident Killing 1 Pupil And Injuring 7 More
Emergency services rushed four critically injured students to Montobella District Hospital with severe head and bodily trauma, while six others received treatment and were later discharged. Tragically, one pupil succumbed to their injuries overnight.
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MEC Duma has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the specific incident and broader scholar transport management practices. “We will take severe action against both the driver and service provider,” Duma stated, emphasizing that road safety units have been placed on high alert for increased random inspections of school transport vehicles.
Scholar Transport Challenges in KZN
The accident occurred just days after provincial officials presented a report highlighting both achievements and challenges in KZN’s scholar transport program. While the province currently serves 77,369 learners across 434 schools through 85 district contracts, a staggering backlog of 1,571 schools and 234,907 students still await service – requiring an estimated R2 billion in additional funding.
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Call for Improved Safety Measures
This tragic incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and more rigorous monitoring of contracted transport providers. Authorities have pledged to implement more stringent measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.