US Edition‘Scholar Taxi Was Driving Towards Oncoming Traffic’: Lesufi Overwhelmed as Vaal Death Toll Rises to 13
Culpable homicide charges filed after a head-on collision killed 13 learners and critically injured five, linked to a failed overtaking maneuver by the minibus driver.
- In Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, authorities reported the deadly crash where a side tipper truck collided with a private scholar transport minibus on Fred Droste Road, killing 13 learners on Monday, 19 January 2026.
- Investigators say the minibus driver attempted an overtaking manoeuvre and missed an approaching side tipper truck, causing a head-on collision that critically injured five other learners rushed to Sebokeng and Kopanong hospitals.
- Masondo confirmed that culpable homicide counts have been opened, saying 13 charges are filed with more expected as investigators continue to probe the crash, while Matome Chiloane, Gauteng MEC for Education, visited the scene and urged greater vigilance over scholar transports.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sorrow and pledged psychosocial support from national and provincial authorities, noting the incident coincided with a South African Human Rights Commission report on scholar transport.
- Officials urged greater vigilance for scholar transports and better service oversight as the Gauteng Department of Education called it a tragic day and extended deepest condolences to learners, families and school communities.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Dashcam Video Footage Shows How Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport Crash Happened
Newly surfaced video footage has provided chilling insight into how the deadly scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark unfolded, as investigations continue into the tragedy that claimed the lives of 12 learners, according to the Gauteng Department of Health. The footage, recorded from a camera mounted inside the truck involved in the collision, shows the truck travelling at a steady speed while multiple vehicles pass safely in the opposite dir…
BOSA seeks urgent probe of scholar transport system following school children crash
By Charmaine Ndlela Build One South Africa (BOSA) on Tuesday urged the government to launch a nationwide inquiry into the country’s scholar transport system after the deaths of 14 learners in a crash near Vanderbijlpark on Monday. “The tragic and wholly preventable deaths of 14 young learners this week, who lost their lives while being transported to school in a scholar transport vehicle, have exposed the urgent need for stricter safety enforc…
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