By: Natasha Archary

It’s a sombre day for the families of 10 learners who perished in a scholar patrol crash in Carletonville on 10 July, as their joint funeral is underway.
Almost a month after the children’s tragic demise when their scholar transport vehicle was hit from behind by a Ford Ranger, the families are laying their little ones to rest.
The family of the 11th child who passed in the crash chose to have a private ceremony.
Sadly, the driver of the scholar patrol vehicle also died along with the 11 children after the vehicle toppled over and caught fire.
The children were burnt beyond recognition and their bodies were identified by DNA swabs provided by their parents.
HAPPENING NOW: The funeral service of the 11 children who died in a scholar transport accident in Carletonville is set to take place this morning.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 8, 2024
The children, along with their driver, died in the accident involving a bakkie early last month.#KayaNews KS. pic.twitter.com/3LDKJCZ8y6
[WATCH] The child-size caskets of the 11 learners who died in a scholar transport incident being brought into the funeral service venue.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 8, 2024
The learners died when the scholar transport taxi they were traveling in crashed into a bakkie last month.#KayaNews KS pic.twitter.com/ziX9USBKMT
Four of the children who died were from the Hlalele family, two boys and two girls who were in Grades 2, 3, 5 and 7 and using scholar transport for the first time.
On Thursday, 18 July Gert Laurence van Emmens made an appearance at the Fochville Magistrates Court, where he faced 12 counts of culpable homicide and a count of reckless or negligent driving, alternatively inconsiderate driving.
Emmens was granted bail of R20 000 on schedule 1 offence with conditions that he should hand over his passport to the investigating officer.
He is also not allowed to interfere directly or indirectly with witnesses.
The matter was postponed to 15 October 2024 to allow for further investigations.
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