SAPS Investigating Taxi Crash That Injured Several and Killed 1 Child Outside Parliament

• One child has been killed and several other people injured after a taxi crashed just outside Parliament in Cape Town
• The taxi missed the gates of Parliament and a statue of Louis Botha as it was stopped by a metal bollard
• A teacher from a nearby school was at the scene where he explained that the passengers were students from townships in the area and attended various schools in the area

CAPE TOWN - A minibus taxi that was transporting children just missed crashing into the front of Parliament on Friday, 20 August. The accident killed one pupil and left a number of other people injured. Reports state that a metal bollard stopped the taxi from ramming into the gates of Parly.

The taxi almost hit the statue of Louis Botha, an early 20th-century prime minister. According to TimesLIVE, a teacher at Walmer Estate Primary School, Ebrahim White, was at the scene of the accident.

Read also

3 suspects arrested after Cape Town road rage incident 'turns deadly', motorist stabbed

White said that he heard that the taxi driver allegedly jumped a red light and on top of that, was overloaded. White stated that a majority of the taxi's passengers were primary school pupils. He explained that the students came from nearby townships such as Khayelitsha and attended various schools in the area.

EWN reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating the accident. The report explained that a case of reckless and/or negligent driving has been opened.

In a media release, presiding officers of Parliament expressed their sadness at the tragedy. The officers sent their thoughts and prayers to the injured students and wished them well in their recoveries.

They went on to state that traffic authorities should investigate the circumstances to the best of their abilities to ensure children's safety.

Read also

ANC Mayor in the North West dies in car crash while driving home from an after tears at 3am

RTMC investigates bus crash that claimed the lives of 28 people

Previously, Briefly News reported that investigations are ongoing after a bus crash in Kei Cuttings claimed the lives of 28 people. Kei Cuttings is between Butterworth and East London in the Eastern Cape. More than 30 other people were injured.

According to a report by EWN, the driver of the bus lost control before it plunged down into a steep embankment. The vehicle was on a long-distance journey from Cape Town to Mthatha when it overturned.

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula was one of many people to send their condolences to the victims and the families of those who lost their lives. Mbalula stated that South Africans need to work as a team to ensure road safety.

Source: Briefly News