Sekhukhune – A 31-year-old scholar transport driver will be appearing before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court today facing charges of culpable homicide for the death of a male learner aged 7.
The driver is alleged to have been driving under the influence of alcohol, inconsiderate driving and overloading fifteen kids in his seven seater Toyota Avanza when the accident happened.
Spokesperson for the SAPS in the Limpopo Province Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the driver lost control of his overloaded Toyota Avanza, plunged on the road-side and killed a 7-year-old boy on the R555 road next to Marikana Village yesterday afternoon.
Mashaba said the kids were coming from the Laerskool Roossenekal to Ngwaabe village.
“When police arrived on the scene, kids were scattered on the road with multiple injuries and screaming for help, while the Toyota Avanza was in bad condition. Sadly, one of the kids, a 7-year-old boy, was certified dead on the scene by the Emergency Medical Services personnel. The other fourteen kids, ten girls and four boys, were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” Mashaba said.
“The driver has since been charged with Culpable Homicide, driving under the Influence of alcohol, inconsiderate driving, and overloading. He is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 22 August 2025. Investigations are continuing to determine the exact circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” said Mashaba.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and wished the injured learners a speedy recovery.
“Transporting children is a responsibility that demands the highest level of care and discipline. We will not tolerate reckless and unlawful behavior that endangers the lives of our children. Law enforcement will deal decisively with such acts of negligence,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
