Memorial service for pupil crushed by taxi

A MEMORIAL service will be held today for a Verulam pupil who died after she fell from a moving taxi and was crushed when it drove over her.

Zomusa Lihlethemba Sosiba, 14, a Grade 9 pupil at Mountview Secondary School, was on her way home from classes when the incident occurred.

“It was established that the pupil was travelling in a VW Caravelle with the sliding door open when she fell out and the vehicle drove over her,” said Reaction Unit spokesperson Prem Balram.

“She was declared dead on arrival by paramedics.”

On the school’s Facebook page, a message of condolence was sent out to the pupil’s family.

The community of Verulam took to social media to express shock at the incident, with some blaming the driver of the taxi for leaving the sliding door open.

Jewett Jay Earnest commented: “We need to know who the transporter is. As parents and community leaders, we cannot allow this individual to carry on transporting anyone,” they said.

Another resident, Terona Naidoo-govender, said it was a tragedy that could have been avoided.

“Does the driver realise the extent of his actions? The loss of a child’s future, the family’s loss of their blessing and the trauma to the other children who witnessed it.

“With the ways some music blares, he obviously didn’t hear her scream when she fell out,” said Naidoo-govender.

Others on social media described Sosiba as a “pleasant and beautiful young girl”.

Her memorial service will be held at the Christ Embassy Church in Verulam today.