MEDIA STATEMENT

TWO LEARNERS DIED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT

The North West Education and Sport Development MEC, Sello Lehari conveyed his message of condolences to the families of the two learners who died in a bus accident which occurred in the morning of Tuesday, 14 May 2019, at Groot Marico, near Zeerust.

About 20 learners sustained minor injuries from the bus accident. They were taken to the local hospital for medical treatment and only one is still hospitalised whilst 19 learners were discharged on the same day. The two deceased learners were both boys aged between 18 years (Grade 9) and 14 years old (Grade 8) and they attended school at Thutokemaatla Secondary School.

The North West Education and Sport Development MEC, Sello Lehari highlighted that the department has lost these learners at a very young age.

“On behalf of the department I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased learners and the Thutokemaatla Secondary school. It is so heartbreaking for the department to lose very young people who in future would be able to contribute to the economy of our country. We are very shocked and saddened by this unfortunate accident”, said MEC Lehari.

Meanwhile the Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane called all the learner transport Operators to talk strongly to their drivers to always ensure that they take care about safety of learners.

The department indicated that counselling will be arranged on Wednesday, 15 May 2019 for the families of the deceased learners, educators and the learners of Thutokematla Secondary School. The details of the memorial service and the funeral will be communicated in due course.

End.

Issued by Media Liaison Unit
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