Pick lifts carefully – MEC

SCHOOL TRANSPORT: ‘DRUNK DRIVER’ INJURES 12 KIDS

Man arrested, children wished a speedy recovery.

The Gauteng MEC of Education, Panyaza Lesufi, yesterday urged parents to be careful when selecting drivers and transport to take their children to school.

On Monday, 12 children were injured when the vehicle transporting them to school hit a tree in Meadowlands in Soweto. It was later established that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

“It is disturbing to note that the driver was allegedly speeding and under the influence of alcohol,” Lesufi, pictured, said. “It is important for parents to be careful when employing drivers and transport that would be taking their children to school.”

Lesufi said that he was pleased that the law enforcement agencies swiftly arrested the driver and wished the children a speedy recovery.

The Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said that they were saddened by the incident.

“Of the seven who were taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, two were attended to and discharged immediately, five remain in hospital, two of which are in a critical condition and three are stable. The four that were sent to Lilian Ngoyi were discharged and the one at Tshepo Themba is in a critical condition with head injuries.”

Mabona said the department had arranged a team of officials to assist those affected with psychological support.

“We wish to indicate that we will continue to monitor the condition of the pupils, we thank the department of health and everyone who assisted them at the hospitals,” he said. – ANA