Mpumalanga Premier Highlights Dual Responsibility in Train-School Bus Tragedy

The small community of Sikhululiwe Village in Mpumalanga is grappling with the aftermath of a heartbreaking collision that claimed the lives of six learners. On a somber Saturday, heartache converged with a resolute call for accountability and safety as Mpumalanga Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, voiced his concerns at the funeral service. The tragedy occurred on July 31 at the Arnot level crossing and involved a Transnet train and a school bus ferrying 30 pupils from Morelig Combined School.

Premier Ndlovu did not shy away from addressing the complexities of this disaster. He asserted that fault lay not only with the bus driver but also with the train operator. "They are both wrong," Ndlovu declared, countering the narrative that had placed sole blame on the bus driver. He argued that ample signage at the crossing implicates the train driver, who was expected to approach with caution and preparedness to stop, reflecting on the crucial lesson to be learned to prevent future fatalities.

The premier emphasized the prime responsibility that comes with transporting the country’s youth. Scholar transport, he argued, is not just about moving pupils, but about caring for potential leaders and innovators upon whom the province's future rests. This perspective underlines the gravity of driving conduct and vehicle maintenance.

As part of a response to the tragedy, Premier Ndlovu touched on enhancing e-learning initiatives to support schools across the province and reiterated best wishes for the recovery of the surviving injured pupils. The premier's address pointed towards not only healing but also redress and reform.

This push for transformation was echoed on Monday when early insights from the Railway Safety Regulator's (RSR) investigation emerged. The preliminary report underscored the school bus driver's failure to comply with road signage at the railway crossing, offering a piece to the puzzle of responsibility. The RSR’s findings highlight persistent risks at railway level crossings and the necessity for elevated safety standards.

According to MEC for Roads and Transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, the driver of the bus is under scrutiny for potential intoxication at the time of the accident, adding another layer of concern to the already tragic event.

The profound loss experienced by the community and the broader region underscores not only the importance of adherence to safety protocols but also the necessity for regular, stringent checks on the roadworthiness of scholar transport. With this incident serving as a grim reminder, the call from officials is clear: the path to ensuring the safety of South Africa's youth is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in the transportation chain.