A scholar transport driver killed a child yesterday when he drove into her, inside a Berlin school premises, just 10 days before her sixth birthday.
Grade R Nkosinathi Primary School pupil Khazimla Nkila died on the scene just after 7.30am.
Khazimla’s mother, Chuma Nkila, was at New Life settlement, about 3km from the school when her daughter was killed.
Nkila could be seen among the residents staring in awe at the convoy of vehicles heading towards her home to notify her of Khazimla’s death.
Soon after she was told of her daughter’s death, she broke down and cried.
“Why my child, Bawo ? Why during the very same month she was born? Why take her away when she still had so much to offer the world?
“What must I do now with this empty hole in my heart?”
Khazimla’s grandmother, Fundiswa Noqala, said everything was still surreal.
“We are in so much pain and shock. It was hardly three hours ago when we were preparing her for school.”
Before her body was identified, emotions escalated when a white department of education Ford Ranger drove into the school premises, travelling with Siyamthanda Blom, Khazimla’s aunt.
Some parents cried, others screamed loudly while others were teary-eyed as they wanted to know the identity of the dead toddler.
Mdantsane cluster police spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said police were investigating a case of drunk driving and culpable homicide.
“Berlin police arrested a 58-year-old alleged to be the driver of a private school bus for drunken driving and culpable homicide in Berlin,” he said.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the school just before 10am, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was surrounded by police and emergency services vehicles.
School principal Zukile Mnyweba told the Daily Dispatch he was too traumatised to comment.
Scholar transport operator and bus owner Misile Kinana said he was on his way to Peddie when Mnyweba told him his driver had killed a child.
“I am also a parent to small kids and I’m pained by the pain inflicted because of my driver,” he said.
Provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the department would investigate and establish how they could help the family.
“We are saddened by the passing of the child – a child, a leader to be, was killed by a car on school premises. It is very shocking and heartbreaking.”
Transport provincial spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said they relayed their heartfelt condolences to the family.
“It’s unacceptable for anyone, but especially someone driving children, to be found driving under the influence of alcohol. We will ensure the vehicle is replaced with another, so as to not traumatise the children any further from the operator working in that school.”
The driver will appear in the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court soon. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Tragic death of girl, 5, at school
Grade R Nkosinathi Primary School pupil Khazimla Nkila died on the scene just after 7.30am.
Khazimla’s mother, Chuma Nkila, was at New Life settlement, about 3km from the school when her daughter was killed.
Nkila could be seen among the residents staring in awe at the convoy of vehicles heading towards her home to notify her of Khazimla’s death.
Soon after she was told of her daughter’s death, she broke down and cried.
“Why my child, Bawo ? Why during the very same month she was born? Why take her away when she still had so much to offer the world?
“What must I do now with this empty hole in my heart?”
Khazimla’s grandmother, Fundiswa Noqala, said everything was still surreal.
“We are in so much pain and shock. It was hardly three hours ago when we were preparing her for school.”
Before her body was identified, emotions escalated when a white department of education Ford Ranger drove into the school premises, travelling with Siyamthanda Blom, Khazimla’s aunt.
Some parents cried, others screamed loudly while others were teary-eyed as they wanted to know the identity of the dead toddler.
Mdantsane cluster police spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said police were investigating a case of drunk driving and culpable homicide.
“Berlin police arrested a 58-year-old alleged to be the driver of a private school bus for drunken driving and culpable homicide in Berlin,” he said.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the school just before 10am, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was surrounded by police and emergency services vehicles.
School principal Zukile Mnyweba told the Daily Dispatch he was too traumatised to comment.
Scholar transport operator and bus owner Misile Kinana said he was on his way to Peddie when Mnyweba told him his driver had killed a child.
“I am also a parent to small kids and I’m pained by the pain inflicted because of my driver,” he said.
Provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the department would investigate and establish how they could help the family.
“We are saddened by the passing of the child – a child, a leader to be, was killed by a car on school premises. It is very shocking and heartbreaking.”
Transport provincial spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said they relayed their heartfelt condolences to the family.
“It’s unacceptable for anyone, but especially someone driving children, to be found driving under the influence of alcohol. We will ensure the vehicle is replaced with another, so as to not traumatise the children any further from the operator working in that school.”
The driver will appear in the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court soon. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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