The driver of the vehicle believed to be behind this morning’s horrible accident that claimed the lives of five learners has been arrested.
The 55-year-old driver faces a charge of culpable homicide.
“The 55-year-old driver was arrested on a charge of culpable homicide and will appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates court once he has been charged. We can also confirm that two children, (aged) six and 15 were transported to the hospital for medical treatment,” says police spokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg.
READ | Mitchell’s Plain scholar transport tragedy: Mayor mourns lives lost on ‘dark day’ for Cape Town
Provincial minister for mobility Ricardo MacKenzie met with parents of the deceased children in Mitchell’s Plain, earlier today.
“My heart goes out to them. Further to this it’s really sad that parents find out via social media their children have died. Please, please think when posting accident pictures,” he says.
Denver van Aarde, a scholar transport driver who was at the scene shortly before 08:00, says they were alerted to the accident via a transport group WhatsApp. He described the scene as “horrific”.
“It was terrifying to look at, so unreal how the little bodies were scattered around. As scholar drivers, our condolences go out to families and friends, teachers, principals and schools. Safety, safety, and safety must come first when driving scholars. We are saddened by the fact that children should lose their lives in this manner,” he says.
