Central SA
Vanderbijlpark scholar transport accident: Death toll revised─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:53 Tue, 20 Jan 2026
Vaal Triangle police have confirmed the scholar transport vehicle involved in the fatal Vanderbijlpark accident, which claimed the lives of twelve learners, was overloaded.
Police confirmed the minibus taxi transported 18 people despite being certified for just 14. The department of education clarified that 12 children died in the scholar transport crash, and one of the deceased children is still unidentified.
Vaal Triangle police are investigating a case of culpable homicide following the fatal scholar transport crash. Police said the driver of the minibus taxi, who survived the crash, will be formally questioned once medically cleared.
“The number of learners who have passed on is twelve,” said Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona. “We might have released different numbers, but we can confirm the number of learners who passed on. It’s twelve.
“Out of the twelve, we have one unidentified child. We’re still trying to make sure we identify them. We have sent psychosocial support to all the schools that are affected.”
Two learners were from Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark, one from Vaal High, one from Oakwood Primary, one from Vaal Triangle Primary, one from Oliver Lodge Primary, one from Noordhoek Primary, and four from El Shaddai Christian School, he said.
On Monday (20/1), learners from different primary and secondary schools were travelling in a Toyota Quantum when the vehicle collided with a truck. Eleven learners died on the scene when the minibus that was transporting them to school collided with a side tipper truck, causing it to veer off the road on the R553.
Gauteng police confirmed both drivers are under investigation. Police will also be looking into whether the vehicle had been overloaded, whether it was roadworthy, and whether the driver was intoxicated.
‘The driver received medical assistance and was discharged’
The Gauteng department of health dismissed claims that more learners died. “We wish to address and dispel the unverified reports suggesting the number of fatalities from the Vanderbijlpark learner transport accident has risen to 14,” said Gauteng health and wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“At Sebokeng hospital, three are still in the intensive care unit, and one was airlifted to a private hospital in Alberton on Monday for special treatment her family felt she needed.”
The driver of the minibus taxi, 22, received medical help at Sebokeng and was sent home on Monday. Right after, police took him into custody as part of their probe into what went wrong, she said.
• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.
