Eight women lost their lives in the accident on the N3 between Van Reenen’s Pass and Montrose. The women were travelling in a minibus taxi that collided with a light truck early on Thursday morning (30/10).

Six people were taken to a hospital in Harrismith for treatment. According to preliminary reports, the practitioners were travelling from Virginia when their vehicle was involved in the collision that claimed all eight lives.

The four were dedicated members of the ECD sector in the Lejweleputswa district, serving at one of the early learning centres in Virginia, and were on a private trip at the time of the accident, said Free State education spokesperson Howard Ndaba.

Education MEC Jilia Maboya expressed condolences to the families, colleagues, and the entire ECD community affected by this devastating incident.

“We are heartbroken beyond words. These were women and men who dedicated their lives to nurturing the youngest members of our society – the foundation upon which our nation’s future rests.

“Their untimely passing is not only a loss to their families and colleagues, but to the entire education fraternity and the children whose lives they touched every day. We honour their service, their compassion, and their quiet heroism in shaping the future of our province.”

Support teams sent

The department’s psychosocial support teams have been activated to provide counselling and assistance to the bereaved families, colleagues, and learners at the affected ECD centre. 

Further details regarding memorial and funeral arrangements will be communicated once confirmed in consultation with the families, said Ndaba.

The families of eight women will on Friday (31/10) identify their loved ones’ remains. The provincial health department has completed the autopsies and will finalise administrative processes upon the families’ arrival.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs