GOVERNMENT officials yesterday visited the schools that lost pupils in Friday’s tragic minibus accident.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi and Mpumalanga Community Safety MEC Pat Ngomane gave their condolences to classmates of the 18 pupils from Mahlenga High School and Refano Primary School who died in the accident.
The pupils and two adults were killed when the minibus taxi they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck and caught fire on the R25 between Verena and Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng.
Motshekga said she could see that staff members and pupils at the schools were in pain.
She asked the affected families and schools to be strong.
She said: “Pray to God to receive the souls of those who have died. We will do whatever we can to offer support.
“This is a national disaster.
“Everyone is affected and they are sending their condolences. We were all shocked when we heard about the tragedy.
“There is a family that lost three children. Mums can lose husbands and others, but when you lose a child it feels like you have lost everything.
“We must also pray for the family of the SGB member who died with his children.”
The minister said the government was working on identifying the remains of the victims, as some were badly burned.
