A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIVES OF SEVEN LEARNERS IN ZEERUST
The North West Education department was shocked and devastated by the sad news that seven learners who were travelling from Borakalalo Village to Rietpan Village in a truck died in an accident wherein the driver lost control and hit the tree on Saturday, 19 October 2019.
The learners involved in the accident attended school at Ratsela Middle school, Mmajane Secondary School and Letlhakane Primary school in Rietpan Village near Zeerust.
The learners were part of the local teams from the village and the games were arranged by their local coaches neither the school nor the department was responsible for the games. They went to play soccer at Borakalalo Village and on their way back, they were involved in a horrible accident at an intersection between Lobatla and Driefontein.
During the time of the accident the truck transported almost 27 learners who were sitting from behind. Six learners died at the scene of the accident and one died later at the hospital. The deceased learners’ names and ages are as follows:
Letlhakane Primary School
1. Mpho Motsusi (was at Grade 7: 12 years old)
2. Goitseone Marumo (was at Grade 6: 14 years old)
3. Oratile Motswiri (was at Grade 6: 13 years old)
4. Kgatliso Motswakae (was at Grade 5: 11 years old)
Ratsela Middle School
1. Thapelo Sebogo (was at Grade 9: 15 years old)
2. Otsile Gogontle Sebaeng (was at Grade 9: 14 years old)
Mmajane Secondary School
1. Khumo Matshogo (was at Grade 8, 14 years old)
The twenty learners sustained various injuries from head to broken legs were still admitted at Zeerust and Bophelong hospitals.
The North West Education MEC, Mmaphefo Matsemela visited the bereaved families and the hospitalized learners.
“On behalf of the department we are very much shocked and devastated by the accident that has claimed the seven lives of our children. This accident happened at a very crucial time wherein learners were preparing to write their final examinations. I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost children from the horrible accident. I further wish a speedy recovery to all the injured learners “said, MEC Matsemela.
MEC Matsemela further highlighted that counselling for the learners and teachers of the affected schools will take place on Monday, 21 October 2019.
