MMC calls for traffic light following deadly taxi accident in Olifantsfontein

Two primary school learners of Mabidatlou Primary were killed on Monday morning when the taxi they were travelling in collided with a motorbike. The motorcyclist was also killed in the collision.

The incident happened at the Old Pretoria Road T-junction, just a kilometre away from the learners’ school.

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• GRAPHIC CONTENT: Two learners killed in early morning taxi accident in Olifantsfontein

Preliminary reports suggest that the taxi, which was used for scholar transport, attempted to cross the road at the T-junction leading to the school when it collided with the motorbike travelling from the opposite direction towards Olifantsfontein.

The two learners and the motorcyclist were certified dead at the scene.

According to ER24 paramedics, their team arrived on the scene to find the taxi and motorbike in the middle of the road.

“Several children were found walking around on the scene. On closer inspection, medics found the body of the biker, a man in his 30s, lying in the rear of the taxi.

“Two girls, believed to be aged 6 and 10, were found lying next to the biker in the rear of the taxi.

“Unfortunately, all three patients had sustained numerous injuries and showed no signs of life. Nothing could be done for them and they were declared dead on the scene.

“Several other children were assessed on the scene, their injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

“The patients were treated for their injuries and were transported by various services to nearby hospitals.”

First to arrive at the scene was the City of Ekurhuleni’s MMC for Community Safety, Clr Frans Mmoko, who called for traffic lights to be installed at that T-junction.

“Firstly, on behalf of the City and the entire council, I want to send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the three people we lost here. The City will try by all means to provide counselling to the families, learners and teachers at the school concerned.

“This incident has just opened up old wounds and scars caused by similar incidents involving our children. This has also refuelled our call to work with every stakeholder to ensure the safety of our learners. And as such, we will schedule a meeting with all the relevant departments to discuss the safety of our children. But as a matter of urgency, we need to have a traffic light put up at that T-junction because it is a busy road indeed,” said Mmoko.

The MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, who also made his way to the scene of the accident, promised that his department would thoroughly look into the issue of scholar transportation, especially overloading.

“I am actually lost for words. My heart is really heavy and I don’t know where to begin. The department will have to thoroughly look at ways to curb these incidents. Overloading remains a huge problem, because most of the scholar transport do carry more than the stipulated number of learners in just one taxi and this is totally unacceptable,” said Lesufi.

Survivors were transported to Thembisa Hospital for medical attention.

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