Runaway truck claims lives of two school boys in Limpopo
The police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding a truck crash which claimed the lives of two nine-year-old boys from Thomani Primary School.
LIMPOPO – Residents of Tshaulu Ha-Gondo are still coming to terms with the death of two nine-year-old boys after a truck ran them over last week.
Nduvho Nemukula and Mulondo Nevhutalu were killed while they boarded a school bus to Thomani Primary School last Thursday, and a truck drove right into them.
Although circumstances around the incident are still under investigation, eyewitnesses said the bus seemed to have swerved before the impact occurred.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that the bus driver had been charged with culpable homicide.
Khangwelo Matoro (26) appeared in the Tshaulu Periodical Court on August 6 and was released on a warning, pending a decision by the Directorate of Public Prosecution.
Nemukula’s grandmother, Thilaiwi Mutamba is a hawker and witnessed the collision.
She was visibly distraught.
“I have never seen anything like this before. I heard a loud noise coming from the road, and it was still dark. I tried to stop oncoming vehicles and many people came to assist me. Others called the police and an ambulance. We are greatly saddened by what happened. Nduvho was still so young. If we knew that by sending our children to school, we were sending them to their deaths, we would rather have kept them at home,” she said.
Nevhutalu’s grandmother, Rendani Nemakonde says they are heartbroken.
“Mulondo was such a bubbly child. I never thought I was bidding him farewell for the last time that morning. I can’t believe that I will never see him again. He still told me that he loved me, and that I should enjoy my day.”
The chairperson of the Tshaulu Ha-Gondo’s Civic Organisation, Joyce Netshifhefhe says the community was deeply touched by the incident.
“A dark cloud has fallen over the village. The area has never experienced an incident like this. These learners had dreams of completing school and pursuing careers.”
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mavhungu Lerule Ramakhanya conveyed her condolences to the families and said they were truly saddened by the incident.
