Bodies of three children found after scholar taxi swept away by floodwaters

by Mathipa Phishego

The discovery of three children’s deaths, still in their school uniforms, after a scholar transport taxi was washed away by strong floodwaters earlier this week has left the residents of Decoligny in Mthatha in a state of shock and anguish.

Local residents report that following an overnight search, the remains were discovered early on Wednesday morning next to a riverbed.  After the taxi carrying the kids became stuck in the rising waters as they were on their route to school, the kids were reported missing.

Search and rescue teams with volunteers in Mthatha are on the lookout for missing persons due to floods affecting the community.

image: Kaya News

Volunteers and emergency personnel are still looking for further missing kids who may have been in the same car. Due to the extreme weather and flooding in the area, at least nine people have been declared dead as of the time of reporting.  The sad event has once again brought attention to how vulnerable children in rural areas who use unofficial, or loosely regulated student transport are.

Local authorities have been notified and are presently working with rescue crews and provincial disaster management services, according to Eyewitness News (EWN). As the heartbreaking reality hit in, parents and community leaders gathered close to the recovery site, many of them in tears and shock.

A local neighbour who joined the search party, Nomsa Mdingi, stated that “This is absolutely heartbreaking. These kids are our neighbours’ kids, so we know them. We have broken hearts.”

In addition to offering support and sympathies to the families, the Eastern Cape Department of Education has advised school transport operators to be extremely cautious in inclement weather