At least seven schoolboys, including a driver of a bakkie that 30 pupils were travelling with, died when he lost control and hit a tree at Driefontein outside Zeerust while travelling from Borakalalo Village to Rietpan Village. 

Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Freddy Sepeng, says MEC Sello Lehari has sent his message of condolences to the bereaved families.

Sepeng says all the remaining injured pupils have been sent to various hospitals across the province. 

Meanwhile, Education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela says she is devastated and shocked, and further says the accident happened at a very crucial time wherein learners were preparing to write their final examinations.

"The learners who were involved in the accident, attended school at Ratsela Middle school and Letlhakane Primary school in Rietpan Village near Zeerust, " says Matsemela. 

She adds the learners went to play soccer at Borakalalo Village, and on their way back were involved in an accident at an intersection between Lobatla and Driefontein.

"Six learners died at the scene and one died at the hospital." An unconfirmed number of pupils are still recovering in hospital. I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their children in this horrible accident," says Matsemela.

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