By OBAKENG MAJE
11 April 2026 – A third learner who was hospitalised after being involved in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of two learners, Remofiloe Mtshengu (15) and Kitso Mathope (16), has succumbed to her injuries. According to the Vryburg High School, a Grade 12 learner, Enica Nombela (18) who was hospitalised since Wednesday, died today.
The school said: “We are deeply saddened to share an update with our school community following the tragic car accident involving a group of our learners earlier this week.
“With great sorrow, we confirm that another one of our learners, Enica Nombela, has sadly passed away after being in hospital since Wednesday. This brings the loss to three of our learners, along with the driver.” the school said.
The school said four learners were travelling to school with private transport from Delareyville when the accident took place. It said it is grateful to share that the fourth learner, Neo Mankwe is recovering well after undergoing an operation at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg.
“Our hearts are broken. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones affected by this devastating loss. As a school, we stand together in grief and will continue to offer all the support we can during this incredibly difficult time.
“We kindly ask the community to keep the families and the injured learner in your thoughts and prayers and to respect their privacy as they navigate this tragedy.”
Three learners from Vryburg High School along with their driver (43), died in a horrific car accident. It is alleged that the accident happened in the early hours of Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said it is reported that four girl learners and their driver, were travelling in their private transport from Delareyville to Vryburg to attend school as it was the reopening of schools for the second term. Motsumi said it is further reported that, approximately 20 kilometres from Vryburg, their vehicle collided with a truck.
“Unfortunately, the crash resulted in the immediate loss of three lives.
“Two learners and the driver were declared dead at the scene, while the two other learners sustained severe injuries. The deceased learners, Remofiloe Mtshengu (15) and Kitso Mathope (16), were in Grade 9 and 10 respectively, while the seriously injured learners are both in Grade 12.
“We are devastated by the tragic news of the accident. Immediately after receiving the news, I drove to Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg to offer my support to the families and wished learners a speedy recovery,” she said.
Motsumi further said on behalf of the entire department, she wishes to convey their heartfelt and deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved learners and also wish a speedy recovery to those who are still in hospital. She added that to the Vryburg High School community, pray that they remain strong during this difficult time.
“I further urge all drivers who are transporting learners to school, to be extremely cautious on the road. The death of one learner is too many. We cannot allow the lives of our learners to perish on the road like this. These learners were coming to school for the second quarter and we were having so many plans to ensure that they excel in their studies.
“The Wellness Unit from the District Office has already conducted trauma debriefing to the learners and the educators. Psycho social support will also be extended to the affected family members,” said Motsumi.
She said the memorial service and the funeral details of the deceased learners will be released once all the family members have been consulted.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng sent his deepest condolences to the families of two the deceased. Morweng said the occupants were traveling on N14 road from Delareyville to Vryburg on the first day of the second school quarter when the sedan in which they were traveling collided head on with a truck traveling the opposite direction.
“The truck driver (45), who was travelling alone, was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. A case of culpable homicide is being investigated,” he said.
The Guardian 