Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane was to address the media to give details of the cause of the accident. Preliminary information shows the minibus taxi was struck by a side tipper truck, causing it to veer off the road.

Along with the 12 fatalities, five more learners suffered severe injuries and were taken to local hospitals. Apparently, 16 pupils were on their way to school on the Golden Highway between Bopholong and Sebokeng.

The pupils were reportedly on their way to Noordhoek Primary School in CW 4, Vanderbijlpark. 

“We don’t have much detail at this stage,” said Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona. “The scene remains active, and emergency services are attending to those involved in this tragic accident.

“We wish to convey our condolences to the affected families and the school community as well.”

The scene has been cordoned off as investigators work to piece together exactly what happened. The cause of the collision has not yet been established.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of the new school term, parents were urged to play a direct, proactive role in safeguarding their children’s daily commute to school.

With road traffic injuries still among the leading causes of injury and death for children aged five to 14, organisations stressed parental vigilance is the first line of defence against unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed operators.

In 2024, children in this age group accounted for 5.61% of the 12,172 people who died on South Africa’s roads. “This figure is unacceptable,” said Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane.

‘Dozens of buses are undergoing rigorous testing of their brakes, gears, and overall roadworthiness’

Transport minister Barbara Creecy said the final phase of the December to January road safety campaign was focusing squarely on scholar transport. She confirmed dozens of buses are undergoing rigorous testing of their brakes, gears, and overall roadworthiness.

The minister welcomed the establishment of a dedicated enforcement unit in the North West to police scholar transport, warning operators against substituting compliant vehicles with unsafe ones.

The RTMC urged parents to guard against overloading, to ensure every child has a seatbelt, and to insist on passenger liability insurance.

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame cvs