The MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) together with his counterpart, Acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Dr Sbongiseni Dlomo, attended the memorial service of Zamimpilo Special School learners who passed away last week.
Zamimpilo Special School learners (8) met their untimely death on the way back from Richards Bay where they participated in extra-curricular activities. A memorial service for the 8 learners who died in a horrific bus accident was held in KwaCeza where the Education and Transport, Community Safety and Liaison.
Departments sent condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those who are still in hospital.
Dr Sbongiseni Dlomo, acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison said, “The Department has conducted a preliminary investigation which has revealed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol which was over the legal limit at the time of the accident.”
The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal has had many accidents which have claimed lives of many learners. In 2012 alone, 38 learners were lost on the roads which prompted the department to act with speed.
The Department has since developed a policy together with the Department of Transport on school excursions which seeks to guide schools on what precautions to take when transporting learners. “As departments, we feel all the pain that you feel as families and we pray that God gives you strength during this very difficult period,” said MEC Senzo Mchunu.
The driver has been discharged from hospital and has since been arrested for culpable homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol. He will appear at the Mahlabathini Magistrate Court today 6 May 2013.
