The DA wishes a speedy recovery to the learners and staff who were injured in an accident that occurred on the R71 this morning. We call on MEC for Education, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and her counterpart in the Department of Transport, Susani Violet Mathye, to prioritise an investigation into the school bus crash.
The accident took place on the R71 near Magoebaskloof and involved 30 learners from Siloe School for the Blind. These children were on their way to Letaba Special School when the accident occurred.
It is still uncertain at this stage what has caused the accident, but seemingly all injured learners and staff were transported to local medical facilities for medical attention.
The DA has previously raised the need to improve the condition of roads like the George’s Valley Road that can offer heavy vehicles an alternative route to the R71. The R71 road is notorious for its sharp corners, steep inclines and descent, which are unsuitable and dangerous for heavy vehicles and subsequently causes great risk for other motorists.
The DA calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances around this accident and to ensure there is a greater focus on visible policing, strategies for safer roads and the improved compliance and safety of any vehicles that will be used to transport learners.