Locals react to tragedy of boys who died in accident

Mr Vusi Vilakazi (20), Bongani Vilakazi (15) and Sphesihle Khadebe (14) were apparently on their way to school when the accident

occurred.

The two brothers and a friend were buried on 26 August.

The families had many questions for the Department of Education regarding transport for the children of the surrounding farms.

The children of the Vilakazi family left the father, Themba, his wife, Thokozile, and a daughter behind.

According to Mr Vilakazi, the pain is unbearable.

He said he was on his way to check on the cattle on the morning of the accident and saw the boys standing next to the road, waiting for

the bus.

When he returned, they were not standing there anymore and he thought the bus had picked them up and continued with his work.

“I received a call that there was an accident and that I must go to the scene.

“That was bad.”

Mr Vilakazi realised his bakkie was not at home.

According to him, the children did not have permission to take the vehicle and were not naughty, but only wanted to get to school.

He emotionally voiced the loss, saying they will be dearly missed not only for their help, but for their laughter and presence.

An uncle, Mr Petrus Vilakazi, said he never came across two boys who had so much respect for others.

He also said this was a real tragedy as they were good, hardworking people.

“They were both born-again Christians and were involved in the church from a young age.”

Vusi was also involved with the CPF in town and apparently loved that he could make a difference in the community.

He suffered from epilepsy as a child and someone told him if he exercised, he would not need to take any medication.

“The week before Vusi’s death, he was washing a car in his school uniform and I teased him about it,” Mr Petrus Vilakazi said.

“He reminded me with laughter that he must exercise.”

In the Khadebe family, Sphesihle was the eldest after his brother, Phaseka, also only 14, died in 2006 after being struck by lightning.

Sphesihle leaves behind his father, mother, a 17-year-old sister and a six-year-old brother.

According to his father, Mr Zacharia Khadebe, he could bear Phaseka’s death since it was an act of God, but has many questions about the accident.

Sphesihle turned 14 in May this year.

“He just wanted to go to school, and now this,” a distraught Mr Khadebe said.

According to information the Lekwa Muncipality, New Denmark Colliery and Sahara Sand helped with the funeral.

The mayor, Linda Dhlamini, Mr Malaza, district manager: Department of Education, and delegates from different departments visited the family the day after the accident and attended the funeral.

An email was sent to Mr Jasper Zwane, spokesman of the Departement of Education, who was given ample time to respond.

The questions asked were:

1. The bus service for the surrounding farms was discontinued for about three weeks, why did the contractor not pick up the children?

2. Referring to the unhappiness of local people, why did the contractor not employ locals?

3. Is the contractor being paid upfront for service according to the contract?

4. If so, did they receive money for those three weeks though the buses did not do the route?

5. You said that the contract was outsourced to the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, if so, why?

6. Is it not still the Department of Education’s responsibility to ensure safe and reliable transport for the school children?

7. In this case, three children died on their way to school, will the Department of Education in any way assist the family, or has the family already been assisted?

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