A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the community of Ga-Molepo Village in Limpopo after a five-year-old Grade R learner from Mamothalo Primary School lost her life when she was struck by a scholar transport bus on Friday morning, 24 October 2025.
According to the Limpopo Department of Education, the little girl was fatally injured after the bus allegedly drove over her near the school premises. The department has since confirmed the devastating news, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of such a young life.
Education MEC **Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya** described the incident as “deeply saddening” and has urged the community to remain calm while investigations are underway.
“The learner was fatally injured this morning after being hit by a scholar transport bus. A preliminary report indicates that the bus drove over the learner, resulting in fatal injuries,” said Lerule-Ramakhanya.
She further extended condolences to the bereaved family, the educators, and all learners affected by the tragedy, emphasizing that the department is awaiting a detailed report to determine exactly what led to the accident.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of such a young life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, educators, and learners during this painful time. I urge everyone to remain calm as investigations are underway,” she added.
In response to the incident, the Department of Education has dispatched **employee health and wellness officials** to Mamothalo Primary School to offer psychosocial support to learners, teachers, and the grieving family.
The loss has left the entire Ga-Molepo community in shock, with parents and teachers calling for stricter safety measures for scholar transport vehicles. Many residents expressed concerns about the condition of buses used to transport schoolchildren in rural areas, as well as the training and accountability of drivers.
This tragedy comes just weeks after another devastating transport incident in **Imbali Township, KwaZulu-Natal**, where five learners died when a taxi transporting schoolchildren crashed into a preschool following brake failure. The growing number of transport-related deaths involving schoolchildren has reignited calls for stronger regulation and monitoring of scholar transport safety across South Africa.
Community members and education activists have urged authorities to implement urgent safety checks, regular driver evaluations, and stricter penalties for negligence to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, the Limpopo Department of Education has promised full cooperation with law enforcement to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy.
The province mourns alongside the affected family, whose daughter’s bright future was cut short far too soon. The loss serves as a painful reminder of the importance of child safety, particularly in environments meant to protect and nurture young learners.
The community of Ga-Molepo is expected to hold a memorial service at Mamothalo Primary School in the coming days to honor the young girl’s life and offer collective support to her devastated family.
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