Ramaphosa on Vanderbijlpark crash: No parent should need to bury their child

As the country continues to mourn the tragic death of 12 learners in a scholar transport accident, President Cyril Ramaphosa says no parent should ever have to lose a child in such a manner.

The learners lost their lives on Monday after the minibus transport that they were travelling in collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the 22-year-old driver was attempting to overtake on a narrow road when the crash occurred.

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Addressing the Basic Education Lekgotla in Boksburg on Wednesday, Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the families of the deceased learners.

Ramaphosa said it is hard to imagine what the parents of the 12 deceased children are going through as they continue to mourn the loss of their little ones.

“We wish those who were supposed injured in the crash a speedy recovery. Children are not meant to be buried by their parents. Children must bury their parents.”

Ramaphosa added that government must draw lessons from the fatal crash.

“We cannot accept that young lives are put at risk in such a horrific way as they seek the growth and enrichment that an education should provide them.”

Meanwhile, the families of the 12 children said nothing can ever erase the pain they now have to bear.