The victims were reportedly crammed into a bakkie with 25 other children when it veered off a rural dirt road and plunged into a dairy slurry dam.
According to the KZN SAPS, at about 7am on Monday, 12 May, the bakkie carrying the children was being driven by a 24-year-old man on the D532 in the Rietvlei area. The man allegedly lost control of the vehicle which then plunged into the slurry dam on Elsmore Farm.
Media reports indicated that local farmers and farm workers scrambled to save as many of the children as possible. The police Search and Rescue Unit recovered the bodies of the five children who were killed.
KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said the as yet unnamed driver was taken into custody and was facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and reckless and negligent driving.
Tony le Roux, manager of the Mooi-Mpofana Agricultural Association, described the accident and children’s deaths as “tragic”.
He explained that while Elsmore Farm was government-owned, he would still be visiting the scene of the tragedy to gain a better understanding of what happened.
“Rural dirt roads are particularly dangerous and special care is needed when driving on them,” said Le Roux. “Accidents can even happen at low speeds.”
KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni was reportedly determined to have the bakkie’s driver held accountable.
“Members from our Accident Investigation Unit will be assisting detectives in reconstructing the scene as well as ensuring that the vehicle is tested for any defects,” he said. “We will do everything within our control to ensure that the driver is brought to book.”
