Pupils Injured in Mpumalanga bus crash ahead of Ministerial event
A harrowing bus accident in the Mpumalanga province has left dozens of school pupils with injuries, with one child suffering serious harm. The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 22nd, along the R534 road in Nhlazatshe as the students were en route to an event attended by the Transport Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
According to Moeti Mmusi, a spokesman for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, the crash involved a bus, a minibus taxi, and a truck. In total, 64 pupils from Holeka Secondary School sustained minor injuries, while one child was gravely hurt and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The pupils were travelling to Elukwatini to attend the ministerial imbizo, where Chikunga was scheduled to assess road infrastructure projects worth millions of rands. Tragically, the journey took a devastating turn, leaving the school community shaken and the department scrambling to provide support.
“Officials from the Inclusive Education and Wellness section will be deployed to the school to render psycho-social support to the pupils,” said Gerald Sambo, a spokesman for the Department of Education.
“The department is also committed to ensuring the pupil’s well-being is taken care of and providing any necessary assistance at this time.”
The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with Mmusi stating that the probe is already underway. While the details surrounding the incident are still unfolding, the priority now is ensuring the affected students receive the care and support they need during this challenging time.
This harrowing event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly when transporting large groups of young people. As the community grapples with the aftermath, the hope is that the investigation will shed light on how to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
