Tragic taxi crash claims fifth pupil's life in KwaZulu-Natal
Fifth pupil dies following Imbali Township taxi crash.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has confirmed that a fifth pupil has died following the tragic taxi crash in Imbali Township earlier this month.
A 15-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Friday at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment since the crash on September 11.
The Toyota Siyaya minibus in which she was travelling experienced brake failure while descending T22 Road, veered off course, struck a tree and crashed into Senzokuhle Pre-School.
"This morning, I received the sad news of the untimely death of the learner," said Duma. "We were nursing hope that she was going to survive and rejoin her Grade 9 classmates at Zibukezulu High School. Sadly, she has left us."
The MEC said his office and the department had been in direct contact with the teen's family.
"We are in touch with the Ndawonde family and this morning we expressed our deepest condolences to the family. I have dispatched a team from my office and the department to be closer to the family," he explained.
The latest death brings the toll of pupils killed in the accident to five. Three of the children have already been buried, while the fourth victim, will be laid to rest tomorrow.
Duma added that government and community leaders remain committed to supporting the grieving families and schools.
"As announced last week, an integrated approach has been adopted to ensure that we assist families and schools during this difficult period," he said.
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