Tragedy at Thanda Primary: Five-Year-Old Dies, Police Investigate and Police Open Culpable Homicide Case
Nkomazi, Mpumalanga – A heartbreaking accident at Thanda Primary School has left a community in mourning after a five-year-old Grade R learner was fatally struck by a reversing school bus while getting ready to head home, prompting police to launch a culpable homicide probe into the driver’s actions and sparking urgent calls for better safety measures around scholar transport.
The Devastating Incident at Thanda Primary
What started as a normal school day ended in sorrow when the young child was run over by the bus in the school’s grounds. It happened just as learners were lining up to board their rides home in the Emjejane area. Reports say the driver backed up the vehicle without spotting the little one, leading to the tragic outcome. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, but sadly, the child was declared dead right there, with no chance to save them.
This kind of mishap hits hard in rural spots like Nkomazi, where many kids rely on buses to get to and from school. The loss has shaken parents, teachers, and locals, who now worry about how safe these daily routines really are. Witnesses described a chaotic aftermath, with screams and shock as everyone realised what had happened.
Police Open Culpable Homicide Case
Mpumalanga police wasted no time in starting an investigation, filing a culpable homicide case to look into whether carelessness played a part. This charge means they think someone might have acted without enough caution, causing the death, but not on purpose. The driver, whose name has not been shared yet, is the main focus, with officers gahering statements, checking the bus for faults, and reviewing any footage or marks at the site.
Investigators are also talking to school staff and other drivers to piece together the full story. They want to know if the bus was in good shape, if safety rules were followed, and why the child ended up in harm’s way. Culpable homicide can lead to serious consequences if proven, like fines or even time behind bars, depending on what the probe uncovers.
This step shows a push to hold folks accountable, especially in cases involving kids. Families and communities often feel let down when accidents like this slip through without clear answers, so the quick case opening brings some hope for justice.
Education Department’s Response and Condolences
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has stepped in with deep sadness, offering heartfelt words to the family and school. MEC Cathy Dlamini shared that the loss of such a young life cuts deep and called for everyone to double down on keeping kids safe. Her team is working with the school to provide counselling for learners and teachers who saw the horror unfold, helping them cope with the pain.
They have also promised to check safety setups at schools across the province, looking at how buses load and unload to stop repeats. This includes better training for drivers, clear zones for kids, and maybe even helpers to watch during busy times. The department sees this as a wake-up call to fix gaps in transport rules, especially in areas where roads and grounds are not always perfect.
Broader Concerns Over Scholar Transport Safety
This tragedy shines a light on ongoing worries about how kids get to school in South Africa. In Mpumalanga, like many places, buses carry loads of learners daily, but accidents keep happening due to old vehicles, rushed drivers, or poor oversight. Just last year, similar mishaps claimed young lives, pushing for stricter checks on who drives and how buses are kept.
Experts say simple fixes like reverse alarms, mirrors, or no-go zones for kids could make a big difference. Parents in Nkomazi are now calling for these changes, not wanting another family to go through this hell. Nationwide, groups push for better funding and rules to make scholar rides safer, noting how rural kids often face the biggest risks with long trips on rough roads.
The push includes training drivers on child safety, regular bus inspections, and plans for what to do in emergencies. Without these, families fear sending little ones off each day, turning education into a gamble.
Community Grief and Calls for Change
In Emjejane, folks have come together to support the heartbroken family, sharing meals and kind words during this dark time. The child’s passing has left a hole in the close-knit area, where everyone knows each other. Schoolmates, too young to fully grasp it, feel the sadness, with classes paused to let everyone heal.
Leaders urge calm while probes run their course, but many want swift action against any slip-ups. This case could spark wider reviews of transport deals, ensuring companies and drivers meet high standards. For the family, no fix can bring back their little one, but knowing steps are taken might ease the sting a bit.
As the investigation unfolds toward April, eyes stay on Mpumalanga to see if this loss leads to real shifts, making schools safer spots for all kids. In a country where young lives matter most, tragedies like this remind everyone to put safety first, every day.
🔴Central News Special Edition | Issue 125: Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 14 as Investigations Continue🔴
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