Devastating Vanderbijlpark crash claims 13 learners' lives; driver arrested
Tragedy in Vanderbijlpark as a school transport crash claims the lives of 12 young learners. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this heartbreaking incident. #Vanderbijlpark #TrafficAccident #ScholarTransport
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
Gauteng police have arrested a 22-year-old driver of a scholar transport vehicle following a horrific crash in Vanderbijlpark that resulted in the deaths of 13 learners.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, January 19, and has left the nation in shock.
Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the spokesperson for Gauteng police, confirmed that the driver was taken into custody after being discharged from the hospital.
“He is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court within 48 hours, facing 12 counts of culpable homicide as well as reckless and negligent driving,” Masondo stated.
In the aftermath of the accident, police have been actively visiting hospitals and the mortuary to verify the number of fatalities and injuries.
“It can be confirmed that 12 learners died at the scene of the accident and five were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. One of the learners passed away in hospital and another has since been discharged,” Masondo added.
The driver of the truck involved in the collision escaped without injuries, although his passenger sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
“Investigations are under way as police continue to obtain witness statements,” Masondo said.
Earlier, the Gauteng Department of Education reported that one pupil remains unidentified among the 12 learners who tragically lost their lives, while three children are still in hospital, including one in a private facility.
Police confirmed that some of the injured learners later died after being rushed to the hospital, bringing the death toll to 13.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that 13 learners had passed away.
Officials have been deployed to the government mortuary to assist families who may arrive to identify their loved ones. “We are confident that the child will be identified,” he assured.
Mabona also mentioned that three learners remain hospitalised, with two in public hospitals and one who was transferred to a private hospital following parental intervention.
“We know that there is a family that lost two children, and we will also visit the other families of the learners who passed away,” he said.
The department has taken steps to provide psychosocial support to affected families, learners, teachers, and the broader school community. Mabona stated that Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane would visit the families of the deceased at noon on Wednesday.
Later in the day, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and members of the provincial executive are expected to brief the media at the Sedibeng West District Office at 3 pm regarding the government’s response and next steps.
“This will be an update on how we are moving forward from here,” Mabona said.
In light of the tragedy, Mabona urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified content on social media, particularly AI-generated images.
“It is unnecessary for people to create graphics and circulate them while families are mourning. How must families feel when pictures of children who are not theirs are shared and people pretend to grieve with them?” he asked
The department is working to coordinate memorial services and funeral arrangements, welcoming assistance from community members and organisations. Psychosocial support has already been rolled out at several affected schools and will continue, Mabona confirmed.
The breakdown of fatalities by school is as follows: Hoërskool Vanderbijl (three, including one unidentified learner), Vaal High School (one), Oakwood Primary School (one), Vaal Triangle Primary School (one), Oliver Lodge Primary School (one), Noordhoek Primary School (one), and El Shaddai Independent School (four).
Mabona concluded by stating that the learner who was discharged had been treated at Kopanong Hospital. Lesufi will be joined by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Education MEC Matome Chiloane, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, Sedibeng District Executive Mayor Lerato Maloka, and Emfuleni Executive Mayor Sipho Radebe.