PUPILS from Mojagedi Secondary School sustained injuries after their school bus lost control and veered off the road on Friday, 3 May.
The accident, involving a bus carrying over 50 pupils, marks the second in less than two weeks, raising serious safety concerns.
Community member Patrick Tabane voiced his frustration, highlighting the importance of the safety of children.
"Our children's safety has been compromised. We can never replace them, if anything horrible happens," he said.
Tabane called for immediate attention from relevant departments.
Velamina Motepi, a concerned parent, called for an audit of school transport operators and their vehicles to ensure their roadworthiness.
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Grade 11 pupil Lizzy recalled being hospitalised with minor injuries after the bus hit an electricity pole two weeks ago.
"On Friday, 3 May, the driver couldn’t control the bus, again," she said.
Lizzy said the bus eventually came to a halt after it hit a tree in the bushes.
Another pupil suggested that brake failure might have contributed to the accident.
According to the pupil, after the first incident, they were advised to sit on one side of the bus to mitigate shaking.
The traumatic experience has led to calls for counselling for the affected pupils, with concerns raised about the bus's roadworthiness.
Royal Bafokeng traditional leader Patrick Phuthu expressed difficulties in engaging stakeholders to address the issue.
Oshebeng Koonyaditse, spokesman for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, confirmed that the department is in talks with the service provider.
He gave an assurance that measures, including potential contract termination for severe contraventions, are considered, with outcomes to be communicated after the conclusion of engagement processes.
