Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of five children, with another still in a critical condition in hospital, on AZ Berman Drive this morning (30 May).
Learners from Wespoort Primary School, Lentegeur High School, Duneside Primary School, Highlands Primary School, Harvester Way Primary School and Ridgeville Primary School were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
“I would like to convey my deepest and sincerest condolences to the families experiencing the heartache of their tragic loss,” says Ward 43 councillor and subcouncil chair Elton Jansen.
Another learner has been transported to a nearby hospital, and is still in a critical condition.
Brandon Lavelot, a scholar transport driver operating in the area says he is saddened by the accident after being alerted to it via social media.
Travelling this route daily, he passed the scene mere moments before the crash.
“I frequent this road daily in the morning and this morning roads were wet but the robots at the intersection were working fine as load shedding only started at 08:00. I have never experienced an accident of this nature, it is just heartbreaking,” he says.
“My tears have been rolling all morning. I also transport kids and every day is different on the road, but our aim is to transport kids safely to school and home. Just after 08:00, I received frantic messages from parents asking if their kids were safe and then the news was all over the radio. The worst is that people made videos and took pictures and it was broadcast all over social media.
According to reports, a bakkie transporting the children was involved in a collision causing the children to be flung from the back of the vehicle.
“I call for the banning of transporting (learners) on open vehicles/bakkies, overcrowded vehicles, and vehicles without the necessary safety measures,” says Jansen.
According to police spokesperson, Stg Wesley Twigg, Mitchell’s Plain Police registered a culpable homicide case for investigation following the fatal crash “which claimed the lives of five children in AZ Berman Drive, Mitchell’s Plain this morning, 30 May, at about 07:30. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.”
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has offered his condolences to the families involved.
“Our City mourns together with the families of (learners) who died in the fatal crash in Mitchell’s Plain this morning. This is a terrible, dark day in our city. As a parent, my heart breaks for those who will not see their children return home from school today. While it can never restore the lives so tragically taken, we trust that authorities will establish the full facts surrounding this incident so that there may be accountability for any wrongdoing,” says Hill-Lewis.
- Anyone with any information about this incident is requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
