Mbombela (Nelspruit) – A learner is among the three people who died Monday morning in a multiple-vehicle collision involving a mini-bus taxi, bakkie, and an articulated truck laden with maize meal.
The horrific collision occurred along the D2296 Road in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Apart from the deceased learner, the Nissan NP 200 bakkie driver and a passenger died on the spot.
At least 26 learners and the mini-bus taxi driver were hurt in the collision.
A preliminary probe suggests unlawful overtaking may have caused the multiple-vehicle crash.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said all the learners in the minibus taxi were being transported to schools in the Mbombela.
“The deceased are the driver and passenger of the bakkie and one learner who was an occupant in the minibus,” Mmusi said.
“Twenty-seven people sustained injuries varying from slight to serious, and they were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
“The injured include the driver of the minibus and 26 learners.
He added: “Although the cause of the crash is yet to be established through investigations, it is suspected that unsafe overtaking might have been the cause.”
Mmusi said Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie had already conveyed sympathies to the bereaved families and speedy recoveries to the survivors.
“The MEC is concerned about the number of crashes involving school learners lately,” Mmusi said.
“He says that is an indication that there is a problem that needs to be dealt with urgently.”
At the weekend, the six learners from Morélig Primary School in Mafube Village, near Middleburg, who died when their scholar transport collided with a train, were finally laid to rest.
Speaking at the joint funeral service on Saturday, Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu said the province must “deal harshly” with errant operators of unroadworthy scholar transport and other vehicles.
Authorities have withheld the names of the deceased until their next of kin were tracked down and informed.
