According to the departmental spokesperson, Elias Malindi, the bus exploded at Unit 9 in Mmabatho near Mahikeng on Saturday 16 July 2022. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. The private bus had just returned from ferrying about 20 school pupils from Letsatsing Secondary after they attended winter camp classes at the Mosikare Secondary School in Mantsha Village. Malindi says on their way back home, as the bus was dropping off learners around Mmabatho Township, it caught fire. The school pupils managed to evacuate without any reported injuries before it exploded.

Meanwhile, the MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela, says “on behalf of the North West Department of Education, l am truly grateful that there were no injuries reported. The purpose of these winter camps is primarily to improve the performance of our learners. We wish to call upon all our bus operators to be extremely vigilant whenever they are transporting learners. They should ensure that their buses are roadworthy and that they comply with the rules of the road."

She adds that the department has arranged counselling for all the affected learners on Monday 18 July 2022 at Letsatsing Secondary School in Mahikeng.

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