Death toll rises to 14: Vanderbijlpark scholar transport driver abandons bail following deadly crash
The 22-year-old scholar transport driver accused of causing the horror crash that claimed the lives of 14 learners in Vanderbijlpark appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he abandoned his bail application.
Image: tumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Two more learners died in hospital in the early hours of Thursday, 22 January 2026, bringing the death toll from Monday’s deadly scholar transport crash to 14.
The 22-year-old driver of the vehicle, who was operating without a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP), now faces 14 counts of culpable homicide and charges of reckless and negligent driving. He is expected to appear before Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court this morning.
“Two more learners succumbed to injuries this morning following a crash in Vanderbijlpark. The 22-year-old scholar transport driver is now facing 14 counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. The suspect is expected to appear before Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court this morning,” SAPS confirmed.
The accident occurred on Monday, 19 January 2026, claiming the lives of 12 learners at the scene, while five others were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. One of the injured learners has since been discharged, while the others remain under medical care. The truck driver escaped unharmed, though his passenger sustained injuries and continues to receive treatment.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed on Tuesday that the driver’s Public Driver’s Permit (PDP) had expired in November 2025.
“After this afternoon, there was an assistant truck driver who was hospitalised, and the hospital provided all the medical needs that were required, and he was discharged,” Lesufi said.
“Then there was a taxi driver who was also hospitalised and later discharged. Through the work of law enforcement agencies, he was arrested and interviewed, and the police have indicated that he will appear in court soon. On the basis of the work done by the police, we have now established that the PDP, which is the public driver’s certificate, expired last year in November, and therefore he was driving without the necessary permit.”
Lesufi also spoke about the process of identifying victims:
“The second area that I want to bring to the attention of our communities, and it’s a very painful part, is the number of those who have passed away. Eleven were identified when they were preparing for this briefing. When the last family came forward, all the children were duly identified. Of those injured, five were admitted through two of our hospitals in this province—three at Sibukeng and two at Kopana.”
Investigations by SAPS are ongoing, with police collecting witness statements and reviewing evidence to establish the circumstances leading to one of the deadliest scholar transport accidents in recent years.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star