The grieving families of the 11 children killed in a horrific school bus accident will not be able to bury them any time soon as police are yet to conclude their investigation, despite the completion of the DNA tests.
This as the man charged over the deadly crash looks set to appear in the Fochville magistrate's court after an initial appearance in absentia last week.
Junior Mankofu, 13, Katlego Morebudi, 12, Tshiamo Makinta, 9, Thandeka Mtyibe, 9, Lethabo Sesing, 9, Reabetswe Rabodiba, 7, Olesego Khesa, 12, and Reneilwe, 7, Sihle, 12, Hlompho, 10, and Thato Hlalele, 8, died after a minibus taxi transporting children to Rockland Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig was allegedly rear-ended by a Ford Ranger, causing the taxi to roll and catch fire.
Their driver, Nkosinathi Maphukade, also died in the horror crash.
Police on Tuesday confirmed to TimesLIVE Premium that the 55-year-old driver of the Ford Ranger had his first appearance despite still being in hospital under police guard.
“His case was in court for the first appearance on July 12 in his absence [and] it will be back in court on July 18. He is facing a charge of culpable homicide,” police spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili said.
Police confirmed that the driver may appear in person following the possibility of his discharge from hospital on Wednesday.
Muridili said DNA testing had been concluded and the families were awaiting results.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane, addressing the media after the memorial, said they had managed to identify the children.
“The DNA testing has been done. The last update I got is that they've managed to identify which child is which. But now they can't proceed because they're still continuing with further investigations. So the advice is that the families should wait a bit with funeral preparations, as soon as that's cleared up they can continue [preparing]. But thus far, the DNA aspect has almost been concluded,” he said.
Chiloane also provided an update on the condition of the remaining child in hospital.
“The last update I received from the MEC of health, is the child will recover. Most of the injuries are on his lower body ... and they are monitoring him very closely. I believe he'll recover,” he said.
The MEC earlier delivered a keynote speech to a packed Grace Bible Church in Carletonville during the memorial service for the pupils.
In his address, Chiloane urged grieving mourners to “hold on to the memories we shared, cherishing the laughter, joy and love they brought into our lives”.
“Though their time with us was too brief, their spirits will live on in our hearts forever, a testament to the beauty and innocence of youth. May the memories of these beloved children be a beacon of light in the darkness of our grief, guiding us towards healing and hope,” he said.
The service was sombre as families wept inconsolably, while others struggled to keep their composure as speakers remembered the young children.
Emergency service personnel were on hand to assist grieving relatives, having to use a wheelchair and stretcher to carry two distraught relatives out of the hall.
As family representatives came onto the stage to speak briefly about their loss, loud wailing rang out from devastated relatives. They were particularly heard as Sammy Setlhare spoke on behalf of the Mankofu family.
Setlhare spoke of his last memory with his 13-year-old nephew Junior shortly before schools reopened.
“During the school holidays, I was at home with ... Junior and the other siblings. I said to him: young man, you have a beauty spot like you are a girl. You have dimples, but when we look at you, you have this naughty face,” he said amid the tears.
“To all the families who've lost loved ones, my sincerest condolences,” he added as he asked for prayers for the families amid the rough journey ahead.
While speaker after speaker focused their speeches on comforting the families of the children, the deputy mayor for Merafong local municipality, Mogomotsi Sello, spoke briefly about the driver Maphukade, or “bra Nathi” as he was affectionately known.
He said that while there were still no details about his funeral, he was likely to be buried at the weekend. Sello confirmed that a delegation would be sent to attend the funeral on behalf of the municipality.
The deputy mayor also reflected on those children who had survived and now had to live with the trauma from the accident.
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