Eight Wits students die in horrific taxi crash

03 May 2016 - 08:33 By SIPHO MASOMBUKA
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Wits University's Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib and dean of students Puleng Lenka-Bula travelled to Limpopo yesterday to help identify eight students killed in a crash on Sunday evening.

Limpopo department of transport said the Toyota Quantum minibus carrying students from a Zion Christian Church prayer meeting in Polokwane hit an overturned trailer in the middle of the road then hit a tree before bursting into flames.

Department spokesman Kagiso Mootane said the eight students were burnt inside the vehicle.

Six students survived the accident and were taken to the Mokopane and Voortrekker hospitals.

"It was horrific, I still have sleepless nights," said Mootane.

University spokesman Shirona Patel said they were shocked.

She said they learnt about the accident only early yesterday from a student who was travelling in another car behind the minibus.

Patel said: "The delegation [Habib and Lenka-Bula] will assist police to identify the students and to notify their next of kin and also give support to those who are there.

"The university flag will fly at half-mast in honour of our students who passed away and a memorial service will be arranged after consultation with the families."

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