Snl24 | Driver ignored kids, now they’re dead!

Sisters Sinenhlahla Sibanyoni and Nomfundo Sibanyoni died in a horrific accident that left several pupils injured.

THE parents of the pupils who tragically lost their lives in an accident involving a bus and a goods train have claimed that the victims tried to convince their driver to stop, but he ignored them.

The pupils allegedly told the driver to reduce his speed before the goods train dragged the 70-seater bus for about 150 metres from the impact.

The bus was carrying 27 people, of which 25 were pupils.

It’s alleged that some of the pupils had to jump out of the bus to save their lives.

The Sibanyoni family has been dealt a heavy blow after losing two of their children in the accident.

Some of the items left at the accident scene that the claimed the lives of Morelig Combined School pupils. Photo by Bulelwa Ginindza

Nomfundo Sibanyoni (18) and Sinenhlahla Sibanyoni (17) died at the scene of the horrific accident that occurred in Mafube Village outside Wonderfontein and Arnot in Mpumalanga.

Nomfundo’s dad, Mandla Skhosana, mentioned he was home when the villagers decided to visit the scene.

Upon arrival, he experienced the shock of his life.

Mandla learnt that his daughter was among the victims who died.

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“I couldn’t even sleep at night, trying to understand how it happened. I’m really shattered,” he said.

Mandla blames the driver for the death of their children, saying that he has been using the road for years and obviously knew that trains would cross at any time.

“He saw the train coming and continued to drive in. He was in the wrong and he is to blame for this,” he said.

Innocent Mthimunye, who lost his niece, insisted that the driver must be punished for his actions.

He observed that there are signs that the train tried to avoid the crash, but it was too late.

Some of the items left at the accident scene that the claimed the lives of Morelig Combined School pupils. Photo by Bulelwa Ginindza

“The pupils tried to stop him before the train got closer. We suspect that he was intoxicated because you cannot use the same route every day and make such a big mistake,” he said. 

Selina Shabalala, who lost her grandson, Tebogo Matjutla (14), expressed her concern after her two grandchildren didn’t show up at home.

“We know that this road is dangerous. That’s why we always panic when the children are late; however, we didn’t anticipate that such would happen. We are devastated and seek answers. We want to know what led the driver to decide to kill our children,” she said.

Thapelo Skhosana, a 20-year-old grade 12 pupil at Morelig Combined School who uses the bus every day, narrowly escaped the tragedy after he decided not to board the bus on Wednesday afternoon.

He mentioned that they had reported the behaviour of the drivers to the school several times, but they were ignored.

“We’ve been complaining about the behaviour of the drivers and the conditions of the buses for a very long time. It’s sad that things had to end this way. We hope that this would serve as a lesson for the department to consider our complaints,” he said.

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Transport deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa visited the scene on Thursday, 1 August.

He expressed deep concern about road safety in the country, especially scholar transport.

“At this point in time, we are looking at the policies of scholar transport to ensure that a review is conducted and there is cooperation between the Department of Transport and the Department of Basic Education. Ours is to make sure that where there are challenges, we deal with them,” said Hlengwa. 

Mpumalanga police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdluli reported that the cops have registered six counts of culpable homicide.

“The police are still obtaining statements, and investigations are underway,” he said.

At least 14 pupils are still receiving medical care, with two being in a critical condition.

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