Following the tragic death of a primary school learner, who was knocked down in Laudium by an apparent speeding taxi, concerned parents are once more calling for the ANC-led Tshwane Council to immediately reinstate traffic wardens around all schools in Ward 61.
Str, Laudium, was struck and killed by a taxi this
past Wednesday morning (March 25).
Parents are also calling on the ANC-led Gauteng Education Department to give preference to children living in Ward 61 for admission into state schools in Laudium, instead of those living outside the area and who travel daily to attend schools in Laudium. This follows the heartbreaking death of 10 year-old Rialivhuwa Mauhungu from Mustard Str, Laudium on Wednesday morning (March 25). Rialivhuwa, a Grade 5 learner was attending Thoho-Ya-Ndou Primary School in Saulsville, apparently due to shortage of space at Laudium Schools. While waiting for her transport at the corner of Military Road and 19th Avenue, Laudium, a speeding taxi (Reg No: KN 82 JD GP), travelling on the Military Road, coming from the direction of Itireleng, attempted to overtake another vehicle, but then struck the young and fragile learner.
apparently attempting to overtake another
vehicle when the incident occurred.
Unfortunately by the time paramedics arrived Rialivhuwa was declared dead at the scene. Lufuno Rathogwa, a resident of Mustard Street, Laudium and the aunty of the deceased learner, Rialivhuwa, told the Laudium Sun, “I am really shocked and heartbroken by the sad news of my niece, Rialivhuwa Mauhungu, who passed away in the tragic accident that happened. My niece was a very soft-hearted child, a loving and kind little girl and her life was so full of promise. I am struggling to understand why such a beautiful and innocent child had to be taken so suddenly. The loss is unbearable and my heart feels heavy with grief. Every time I think about her, the pain becomes more real and I cannot believe that I will never see her smile or hear her laughter again. The family is grieving, and it is very difficult to find comfort or consolation at this moment. Nothing can replace the space she has left behind. I want no bail to be granted to the taxi driver who bumped my niece. There must be a strong punishment given to the driver because the life of my niece was taken in an instant and justice must be served. My pain is immense because she was just ten years old, and her whole life was taken from her. A life that had just begun, full of dreams and hopes, ended because of one careless act. I cannot stop thinking about how quickly everything changed, how a single moment of recklessness destroyed my niece’s future and left me and my family broken. I have full faith in the law and I hope that the driver will receive a life sentence for killing an innocent child whose life had not even started properly. This is truly heartbreaking and I wish I could see the taxi driver and ask why he did this horrendous thing to my niece. I cannot understand how someone could take a life so carelessly. She was kind to everyone she met and brought joy to those around her. Losing her has left me completely shattered and I feel a pain that cannot be described. I think about the moments I will never share with her, the things I will never see her do, and the future that was stolen from her. I am broken and the emptiness feels impossible to fill. I wish I could turn back time and prevent this tragedy. My heart will never recover from this loss, but I hope that the law will act in a way that honors her memory. I am completely devastated, and I cannot imagine life without my sweet niece, Rialivhuwa.”
Adel Khalas of 19th Avenue told the Laudium Sun, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the ten-year-old child who passed away yesterday (Wednesday) morning. I understand that she was hit by a taxi and it is heartbreaking to imagine what happened to her. This Military Road has always been dangerous, as vehicles are speeding all the time up and down, more so from Itireleng. During school hours it is even more dangerous because there are so many children walking from the one part of Laudium to the other part, to get to school. Kids coming from outside Laudium also get dropped off on the same corner, as taxis prefer not to drive into Laudium. Taxi drivers are constantly rushing and rarely slow down and that is what makes crossing the road so risky for these young learners. I believe that this child was knocked down by one of the speeding taxis. I cannot understand why are there no Metro Police vehicles in the area, as I heard some time back that the Tshwane Council was allocating one patrol vehicle per Ward. The driver was in a hurry and the child was struck while trying to cross safely. It is indeed tragic and we cannot even comprehend the pain the family must be experiencing at this moment. The entire community is in shock and it feels like there is no protection for innocent children. Many of the taxi drivers drive recklessly, without consideration for anyone else and there is no policing to enforce rules or control their behaviour. It is frustrating because we do not see traffic officers in the area when they are most needed. The few who visit seem only concerned with collecting briberies rather than genuinely ensuring safety. Families are living in fear every morning and afternoon and children are all the time at risk just to reach school safely. No parent should ever have to worry that their child might not return home because of someone’s negligence. Every time I walk along this road, I feel nervous, knowing how quickly speeding vehicles pass and how little attention drivers give to the pedestrians. The lack of enforcement encourages more careless driving, and it is only a matter of time before another tragedy occurs. The thought that this death could have been prevented makes it even harder to accept. This incident is not just a loss for one family, but it is a warning to the entire community about how dangerous our roads have become. I hope that the authorities take serious measures to prevent such accidents in the future. Children deserve safe spaces and adults who drive recklessly must be held accountable.”