UPDATE: IPID still awaiting reports on N12 fatal scholar transport crash
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said no arrests have been made yet.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) says its probe into the N12 crash that claimed the lives of four schoolboys in March is still ongoing, with key technical reports yet to be finalised.
The young victims, Khethelo Zulu (9), Hlompo Mofokeng (8), Kgosi Malatjie (6) and Lubanzi Nhlapo (7), from Etwatwa and Daveyton, were being transported by their female driver in a Toyota Verso to schools in Benoni, including Tom Newby School, Rynfield Primary, and Griffcats Tutor Centre, when the accident occurred involving a Hilux bakkie driven by an EMPD officer based in Kempton Park.
Also Read: VIDEO: Fatal scholar transport crash leaves families devastated
A Grade Three pupil from Rynfield Primary and three other children sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital for urgent medical care.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said no arrests have been made yet, as investigators are still waiting for a mechanical report on the EMPD officer’s Hilux bakkie and hospital records.
“Investigations are still continuing,” Suping confirmed.
Speaking to Lubanzi’s father, Lebohang Nhlapo, he said the family is disappointed that the matter has been dragging on slowly, but they remain hopeful.
He indicated someone from IPID met with the family about two months ago to update them on the case.
When asked how the family was coping, he said their lives have never been the same.
“Some days are harder than others. I sometimes look at his school books and his pictures with a heavy heart. But we are grateful to the Rynfield Primary staff, who have been supportive since the incident and continue checking up on us,” he said.
On the day of the fatal accident, authorities received reports of a collision on the N12 at around 07:45.
Ekurhuleni DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said when they arrived at the scene, they found a scholar transport vehicle and a Hilux bakkie.
“Children were trapped in the scholar transport vehicle. Four children were declared dead, while another four were transported to hospital with serious injuries,” he said.
The driver of the Toyota Verso escaped injury, while the female EMPD officer who was driving the Hilux sustained critical injuries. She was extricated from the wreckage and airlifted to hospital.
Also Read: MEC pledges support as families of N12 scholar transport victims demand answers
