Tears flow at memorial for taxi-crash dead

United in grief, primary and secondary school pupils, dressed in their uniforms, packed the Sokhulumi Community Hall to remember 18 of their peers and two adults killed in a minibus accident in Verena, near Bronkhorstspruit, just over a week ago.

School choirs took turns yesterday to pay tribute in song.

They sang: "Lalani ngoxolo, bangani bethu, sizoni-khumbula" (Rest in peace our friends, we will remember you).

The sobbing of members of bereaved families could be heard amid speeches and songs.

Community members, government officials and parents attended the service ahead of the mass funeral to be held at the weekend.

Fanie Botes, principal of Erasmus High School, said the tragedy affected everyone involved in school activities. He said that when he heard of the accident he thought of his own pupils who travel from Verena and Bronkhorstspruit on the same road daily.

"Even though none of my pupils was killed, it is hurting the same because these are our children. When you look at their faces, especially their eyes, you realise the magnitude of this loss of great potential," he said.

The children were killed when the minibus in which they were travelling crashed into a truck and burst into flames on April 21.

Almost all of the dead were burned beyond recognition. Forensic specialists finalised the identifications on Monday.

A representative of the local chief, Prince George Mahlangu, said the road on which the accident happened was in "a terrible condition".

"We know how bad that road is. Everyone who has travelled on it would attest to its condition. We plead with the government to fix the road in memory of the deceased.

"We have never had a tragedy of this magnitude in Sokhulumi. We are inconsolable with grief. There is nothing as painful as losing a child," he said.

Sixteen of the victims will be buried in Wolvenkop, in Verena, on Saturday; two pupils will be buried on Sunday, one in KwaNongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, the other in Limpopo. The driver was buried in Wolvenkop last Saturday.

A total of 20 people were killed in the crash.