Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Centre in Sebokeng yesterday to pay respect to the 14 learners who died when their minibus taxi collided with a side tipper truck on the R553.

On Monday, a minibus taxi crashed, allegedly when the driver tried to overtake several vehicles, on its way to drop learners at different schools in Vanderbijlpark.

Sedibeng Ster reports the community was yesterday united in mourning as friends, families and fellow learners gathered at the multipurpose centre to pay their tributes.

Several government officials attended the service, including Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, Emfuleni Mayor Sipho Radebe, Sedibeng Mayor Lerato Maloka and Midvaal Mayor Peter Teixiera.

Families remember the victims

Speaking during the service, families shared stories as they remembered moments of their children’s lives before the tragedy occurred.

Ntsebang Maphalla, a cousin of Puleng Maphalla, a Grade 11 learner at El-Shaddai Christian School, described the deceased as a happy child.

“My cousin was a gift to her family. As tragic as her passing has been, we must remember the joy the deceased brought to us. We are pained. It is an outright murder, and the court agreed to that,” she said.

Emotional tributes shared

Taking turns to speak, the Madonsela family shared emotional testimony as they spoke about Sibongile Madonsela, a Grade 10 learner at Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark.

“We thank those who have supported us during these tough times. To those who visited our family to show support, that means a lot. We are hurt that Sibongile has passed. We always pray that God’s will happen in our lives, but when that happens, we struggle to accept it,” said a family member.

“When we went to identify her, she was badly injured. We have decided that we won’t allow any family members to view her at her burial,” added the family representative.

MEC delivers eulogy

Delivering his eulogy, Chiloane said: “They kissed their mother’s goodbye, they waved to their fathers, carrying their bags filled with books, and their lunchboxes, but never made it to school. At the scene, what we witnessed will haunt us for the rest of our lives. Their shoes, books, bags and unopened lunchboxes, scattered all over.”

Chiloane added that no excuse will make sense to such. “Mother’s arms are empty. Father tried to be strong while breaking inside. We mourn and weep, and commit to walk this painful journey beside the families.”

Watch the video:

Watch: Taxi slams into wall, children thrown out in Johannesburg

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