LIMPOPO – A total of 30 learners were injured this morning (April 28) after the vehicle they were transported to school with, overturned.

The incident occurred on the D3689 next to the traffic college in the Mutale area at around 07:00.

Also read: Watch as 58 learners exit overloaded ‘scholar transport vehicle’ in Limpopo

Transport media liaison officer Mike Maringa said in a statement that it is believed that the driver of the mini-truck was speeding and lost control of the vehicle. “The vehicle overturned and 20 learners were critically injured while 10 escaped with serious injuries,” he explained.

Transport MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya sent out a stern warning to unregistered scholar transport operators following the incident.

“These unregistered scholar transporters put the lives of innocent learners in danger,” she said and added that parents must ensure their children are transported by registered and complying vehicles.

Read more: Scholar transport: ‘Parents are part of the problem’

Lerule-Ramakhanya stressed that law enforcement officer visibility will be increased in areas where learners rely on public or arranged transportation to get to school. “This is to ensure the safety of these learners. It is regrettable that we woke up to a horrific accident involving learners in Mutale, who travelled to school on the back of a truck. We are grateful that there was no fatality recorded but I want to emphasise that all those who transport learners must register with the department,” she remarked.

Lerule-Ramakhanya said they will soon start an operation to monitor unregistered vehicles. “We will impound and arrest those who put innocent children’s lives in danger. Lawlessness will not thrive under our watch,” she concluded.

Read more: Learner transport is regulated: Edu Dept