LIMPOPO – A 44-year-old taxi driver arrested after a minibus taxi fire claimed the lives of two schoolchildren in the Sekhukhune District has briefly appeared before the Nebo Magistrate’s Court.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba identified the accused as Mogau Mosehla, who appeared in court on Friday, May 15, following the deadly incident in Masemola earlier this week.

Mosehla was remanded in custody until Tuesday, May 19, for a formal bail application.

According to police, the incident occurred on Wednesday along the Apel Cross Road via the Tswaing gravel road towards Nkotwokwane village.

“It is alleged that a minibus taxi transporting approximately 22 school children between the ages of 7 and 10 years, together with the driver, from school to their homes, caught fire while travelling on the gravel road,” said Ledwaba.

Two children died inside the burning vehicle, while seven others sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Thirteen children escaped unharmed.

Police have opened two counts of culpable homicide, as well as charges linked to alleged contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act, including overloading and failure to produce an operating certificate.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing.