A devastating accident occurred early Friday morning when a minibus taxi, transporting schoolchildren, overturned on Swartklip Road, near Mitchells Plain.
Story Summary:
- A 14-year-old schoolgirl died and several pupils were injured when an overloaded minibus overturned near Mitchells Plain.
- The driver, who did not have a valid licence, has been arrested.
Mitchells Plain accident: Here’s what we know
The taxi was reportedly overloaded with 29 pupils heading to schools in Wynberg and Mitchells Plain.
The vehicle lost control and flipped over, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old girl, as confirmed by Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk.
The crash occurred between Tafelberg and Spine Roads at approximately 06:30.
Emergency services rushed the injured pupils to nearby hospitals, while police arrested the 25-year-old driver at the scene.
Investigations revealed the driver did not possess a valid licence, and the vehicle was deemed unroadworthy, further compounding the tragedy.
Captain Van Wyk confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened, and an investigation into the driver’s actions and the vehicle’s condition is ongoing.
Additionally, City of Cape Town traffic spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout noted that the vehicle was carrying far more passengers than legally permitted.
The Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased girl and wished a swift recovery to the injured pupils.