Sixteen of the children and one of two adults who died in a horror minibus taxi accident in Verena near Bronkhorstspruit just a over a week ago would be given a mass funeral over the weekend‚ the Gauteng Education Department announced on Tuesday.
“Sixteen learners and the general assistant will be buried in Wolvenkop in Verena on Saturday while two learners will be buried on Sunday in KwaNongoma in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo respectively‚” said the GDE.
The group died when the minibus they were travelling in crashed into a truck and burst into flames on April 21‚ leaving almost all of them burnt beyond recognition.
Forensic experts finalised the process of identification on Monday.
Meanwhile‚ the driver of the mini-bus was buried in Wolvenkop last Saturday.
A total of 20 people were killed in the crash. Seven were injured.
“Three of them remain in hospital while four have since been discharged‚” the department said.