Mass funeral for 11 pupils killed in Carletonville crash

The Gauteng Education Department confirmed the mass funeral on Wednesday.

The horrific crash in Carletonville, on the West Rand, took place a month ago when a bakkie collided with a minibus taxi transporting school children on JB Marx Road in Fochville.

READ: Probe underway into Carletonville horror crash

A joint mass funeral service will be held at Fochville Secondary School in Fochville. 

The funeral was delayed by the DNA identification process.

The accident resulted in the deaths of 13-year-old Junior Mankofu, 12-year-old Katlego Morebudi, 12-year-old Olesego Khesa, 9-year-old Tshiamo Makinta, 9-year-old Thandeka Mtyibe, 9-year-old Lethabo Sesing, 7-year-old Reabetswe Rabodiba, and four children from the same family: 7-year-old Reneilwe Hlalele, 12-year-old Sihle Hlalele, 10-year-old Hlompho Hlalele, and 8-year-old Thato Hlalele. Their driver, Nkosinathi Maphukade, was also killed.

ALSO READ: Two killed in apparent hit-and-run near Groutville

One suspect has been arrested and faces charges of 12 counts of culpable homicide and one count of reckless and/or negligent driving.

Fifty-five-year-old Gert Laurence van Emmens has since appeared in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court, where he was granted bail of R20,000.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane and Premier Panyaza Lesufi will also be in attendance.

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