THEY always
hitch-hike home after school, but this around they didn’t make it home.
Majority of pupils from A.M Mashego Secondary School in Monsterlus outside Jane Furse in Limpopo always hitch-hike after school to their respective homes.
Five of the scholars aged between 15 and 18 years died on the spot, while others including the driver survived with serious injuries when a white Nissan NP200 bakkie apparently lost control towards the Matrompi bridge and rolled several times.
Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that they have opened a case of culpable homicide after five school children died.
“The deceased are all girls from the same school. They reportedly got a lift from the bakkie at a local filling station to their respective homes in Sephaku and Kgaphamadi villages," Motlafela said.
MEC for Limpopo Education Polly Boshielo, has expressed her deepest distress and devastation after the deadly accident.
Boshielo said: "We are deeply saddened. Our hearts are heavy, and we send our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of the dead pupils and the school. This is a very difficult time for all of us, friends and relatives of these learners," she said.
Boshielo further said the departments psycho social unit has already been dispatched to the families and school to provide necessary trauma counselling to learners, teachers, support stuff and the bereaved family members.
