Learner injured in a hit-and-run

A Hoërskool Elspark learner was injured on May 26 in a hit-and-run incident outside the school.

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According to the child’s mother, learners who witnessed the incident said the driver was speeding.

“Learners said the driver did not even stop to check if she was okay or injured. Some learners managed to take photos of the vehicle before it sped off,” said Sonto Makhoba.

Her daughter sustained mild injuries that included soft tissue injuries on her face, hands, and hips on her left side.

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“I’m glad the injuries were not bad, but I want the driver to be held accountable and take responsibility.

“You cannot be speeding on a residential road, definitely not near a school full of school children,” said Makhoba.
She has opened a case with the Elsburg SAPS.

The school’s principal Jan van Niekerk said this was the first time a learner had been hit by a car outside the school.

“Due to growth in learner numbers, the school has created a drop-off zone inside the school grounds to ease traffic in front of the school,” said van Niekerk.

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He said as a school they were sad for their learner to be hit by a car.

“Motorists need to reduce their speed when passing the school and beware of learners crossing the street,” said the principal.

Makhoba said the school has been supportive of the family and her daughter.

“I thank the school for the support they offered my daughter because she was shaken by the incident. The school has even offered counselling for her,” said Makhoba.

EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said if a high school needs assistance with traffic control, EMPD assigns its social crime prevention unit to assist.

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This unit, together with the community safety department, educate scholar patrollers on road safety and deploys traffic wardens at schools to ensure that learners cross the roads safely to and from schools.

“We also distribute equipment and scholar patrol uniforms. The unit ensures that scholar patrollers understand the importance of having them around and making sure every learner utilises the pedestrian crossing,” said Thepa.

“The school and residents need to speak with the councillor and sign a petition to request for speed humps.

“The council will put the request through the channels and the roads department will have to conduct an evaluation and survey if the area qualifies for such safety measures,” said Thepa.

“An ordinary resident cannot volunteer to control traffic without proper training because this may pose a risk,” said Thepa.