Pupil knocked down near school

Published Jul 31, 2015

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Cape Town - Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after 11-year-old Eli Mazibuko, a Grade 5 pupil at Brackenfell Primary School, was knocked over and killed at an intersection along Frans Conradie Drive, 300m from the main school gate.

Eli was crossing the road at about 7.40am when a bakkie knocked her down.

She died after several attempts by paramedics to stabilise her.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the driver of the bakkie, a 47-year-old man, has not been arrested.

“At around 7.40am, an 11-year-old girl was on her way to school.

“She was allegedly crossing the road in Frans Conradie Drive, towards the school, when she was hit by a white Toyota Hilux bakkie. She passed away on the scene.

“The 47-year-old driver is also from Brackenfell. A case of culpable homicide was opened and is being investigated by the Brackenfell police. The Investigation continues,” Rwexana said.

Children from Brackenfell Primary and residents on Thursday placed flowers along the school’s fence in memory of Eli.

Principal Johann Groenewald said Eli’s death came as a shock, and staff and pupils were still reeling.

“Dealing with the death of a child is never easy. Naturally, we are all shocked and heartbroken by Eli’s death.

“We cancelled all after- school practices on Wednesday so that pupils could go home. They needed the time to work through what had happened,” Groenewald said.

The intersection where Eli was killed is in the heart of St Michaels, Brackenfell.

Children have used the automated pedestrian timer at the robot for years when crossing the road.

Brackenfell Primary is adjacent to the intersection, while Brackenfell High is about 500m from the Primary School.

Ward councillor and chairperson of the City’s safety and security portfolio committee, Carin Brynard, said the city has about 200 traffic officers stationed at pedestrian crossings every day.

Brynard said they do not have the budget to employ more officers.

Two years ago, speed cameras were erected at the intersection after a number of accidents, some of which were fatal.

Jessica Shelver, spokesperson for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the school governing body chairperson and a counsellor accompanied Eli’s mother to the police station on Wednesday.

“District counsellors and a psychologist were sent to the school to provide counselling for teachers and pupils.

“The Western Cape Education Department is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of such a young life.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the pupil’s family and school community,” Shelver said.

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Cape Times

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