‘We trusted the transport’: Family that lost two sons speaks after Vaal crash

A family is reeling after losing two of their children in Monday's horror crash in Vanderbijlpark that claimed the lives of 12 children. 

Lesego Sefatsa, 7, a Grade 2 learner at Oakwood Primary School, and Phehello Motaung, 18, a Grade 11 learner at El Shaddai Independent School, were travelling in the minibus taxi that crashed on the R533. 

The driver, 22, is expected to appear in court on Thursday, facing charges of culpable homicide. 

Speaking to IOL News on Tuesday night, family spokesperson Nomthetheleli Dys from Sebokeng confirmed that two pupils from the household died in the crash.

Dys said the family had been using the transport service since last year.

“They have been going to school with this transport since January 2025. This month marked one full year of using it,” she said.

She said the family had not been aware of the condition of the vehicle.

“We didn’t know whether the vehicle was roadworthy or not. We just arranged the transport, and the children were getting to school and coming back home safely,” Dys said.

Dys said they paid R950 per child due to the distance to get to the schools.

She described Phehello as a committed church member who played the trumpet, and Lesego as a young but disciplined and helpful child.

“Lesego was still a kid, but she was helpful and obedient. Phehello was the same… You could send them to do something, and they would do it.”

“They were loving and bubbly,” she said.

Dys said the family was devastated that the children’s dreams would never be fulfilled.

“Phehello wanted to study law after matriculating and become a lawyer, while Lesego dreamed of becoming a pilot. They used to talk about their plans for the future,” she said, her voice trembling with grief.

On Tuesday afternoon, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that the scholar transport vehicle involved in the crash was operating with an expired PDP, which lapsed in November last year.

Lesufi was speaking at a media briefing at the Sedibeng West District Office, accompanied by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, and other officials.

He said three drivers were involved in the crash - two from a truck and the driver of the scholar transport vehicle.

“The truck driver, who was not seriously injured, took himself to hospital and will provide a full statement,” Lesufi said.

The assistant truck driver was treated and discharged, while the scholar transport driver was hospitalised and later released.

“The taxi driver has been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon,” Lesufi said.

Meanwhile, Dys said learning that the driver’s permit had expired added to the family’s grief.

“We were deeply hurt and even blamed ourselves for putting our children in that vehicle,” she said.

She also expressed pain that the driver had not visited or contacted the family.

“No one came here to comfort us. Only the premier and the minister came. The person who was transporting our children never came to show sympathy,” she said.

“We still have other children who are going to school, and we had hoped to put them in the same transport because he had been transporting our children since last year… It is really painful.”Police confirmed that the 22-year-old driver will appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court within 48 hours on 12 counts of culpable homicide, as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving.

Lesufi said all 12 pupils had been formally identified.

Five injured learners were admitted to Sebokeng Hospital and two to Kopanong Hospital. Two pupils were initially in intensive care, with one since discharged.

“The loss of life is deeply painful,” Lesufi said. “We are mobilising all available support to assist affected families and learners.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News