Moeti Mmusi of the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has told the Middelburg Observer that the driver of the bus that collided with a train on the R104 near near Mafube Village, has not been arrested.

Several news publications have been reporting that the driver was arrested, but Mmusi confirmed this is not the case.

Mmusi added that the investigation into the crash on Wednesday afternoon is still ongoing.

A journalist of the newspaper was at the scene yesterday when the bus was towed away by Van Wettens.

Emotional bystanders watched as it was being removed.

@middelburgobserver School bus that claimed the lives of six Morneg Combined School being towed. #middelburgobserver ♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver

2 in critical condition, 4 to be transferred

The four learners who were transported to the Middelburg Provincial Hospital following the collision will be transferred to Witbank Hospital, the Middelburg Observer reports.

Five children died on impact, and one died in the hospital while receiving medical treatment.

Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, accompanied by other officials, visited the Middelburg Hospital where the four learners were hospitalised.

Dr Linky Ntuli, the clinical manager at the hospital, said one of the learners will be taken to Cosmos Hospital for a CT scan because he is showing signs of amnesia. Another learner has a fractured spinal cord, one has broken legs, and the fourth learner has a broken arm.

The officials started the day by visiting Morneg Combined School, where the Mpumalanga MEC of Education, Landulile Dlamini, said five learners were discharged, while two of the learners are in critical condition.

She added that the health department will be providing counselling to the learners and the families of the victims.

Investigation unfolds

Karabo Mashego, a Grade 11 learner at the school, said he and his classmates are devastated about the news of the crash.

He also said the school buses the learners use usually break down, and he has complained about them to the school, who said they would investigate.

@middelburgobserver Karabo Mashego, a learner at Morneg Combined School, said he and his school mates are devastated about the news of the six learners that died in a crash yesterday in Mafube Village.#middelburgobserver ♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver

Learners and parents claim the bus driver was under the influence of alcohol, and that before the crash happened, learners reportedly asked the driver not to be reckless.

When asked if the bus driver would be arrested, the deputy transport minister said his department is giving the police space to investigate the matter. He added that preliminary reports of the collision will be released in the next few days.

@middelburgobserver Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said his department is giving the police space to investigate the accident involving six Morneg Combined School. He also said preliminary reports of the accident will be released in the following days. #middelburgobserver ♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver

• Steve Tshwete Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela yesterday said officials will discuss funeral arrangements and the support they will be offering the families.
• The identities of the learners have not been formally released due to post-mortem examinations taking place.