A tragic accident unfolded on Swartklip Road near Mitchells Plain on Friday morning, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old schoolgirl. The minibus taxi she was traveling in overturned at around 06:30, leaving 28 others injured. The 25-year-old driver, who was allegedly operating the vehicle without a valid license, has been arrested.
The incident occurred between Tafelberg and Spine Roads, where the taxi, reportedly overloaded with schoolchildren, was en route to different schools in Wynberg and Mitchells Plain. Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed the details, stating that the driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal crash. The young girl died from injuries sustained in the accident, and the injured pupils were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
### Investigation and Arrest of the Driver
A culpable homicide case has been opened, and police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Captain Van Wyk revealed that the 25-year-old driver was not only driving without a valid license but was also operating an unroadworthy vehicle. Furthermore, the taxi was overcrowded, carrying 29 schoolchildren at the time of the accident.
“The 25-year-old taxi driver has been arrested,” Van Wyk confirmed, adding that the investigation is ongoing and that the accident scene remained active as authorities worked to gather more evidence.
City of Cape Town traffic spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout also confirmed that the taxi was indeed overloaded with students. The tragic accident has raised concerns about the safety of school transport in the area, with parents and officials demanding stricter enforcement of transport regulations.
### Similar Incident Earlier in the Week
This tragedy follows another accident involving schoolchildren earlier in the week. On Wednesday, 14 pupils were injured in a separate incident when a microbus taxi they were traveling in collided with a truck on Klipfontein Road in Manenberg. According to City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Quinton Leon, nine girls and five boys were injured, along with the driver. Emergency services responded promptly, and all the injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a case of reckless and negligent driving was opened following that incident, although no fatalities were reported.
### Calls for Action and Condolences
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased schoolgirl and expressed well wishes for the recovery of the injured students.
“This is a tragic reminder of how fragile life can be, especially when it comes to the safety of our children,” Sileku said, emphasizing the importance of stricter measures to ensure the well-being of students who rely on public transport. He called on authorities to take immediate steps to improve safety and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The accident has sparked renewed debates about the regulation of school transport, with many urging for better monitoring and enforcement of safety standards. Overloading and unroadworthy vehicles have long been concerns in South Africa’s public transport sector, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the devastating loss of a young life, while the families of the injured await updates on their children’s conditions.