THE number of dead scholars now stands at 12.
This was confirmed by the Premier of Gauteng-Panyaza Lesufi, during media brief held in Sedibeng, this afternoon.
The unfortunate incident happened on Monday morning, when a taxi driver, who was ferrying scholars to school, was fatally hit by an on-coming truck in Vanderbijlpark.
Premier Lesufi, who was visibly in pain during media brief, also indicated the drivers’ permit PDP had expired in 2025, as a result he was arrested after being discharged from hospital on Tuesday.
The (22) will now appear in court.
Police spokesperson for Gauteng, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed he was arrested and will appear at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court within 48 hours, facing charges of 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.
“The drivers of a truck involved in the crash escaped unharmed”. Investigations are underway as police continue to obtain witness statements,” said Lt Col Masondo.
The affected families will continue to receive counselling pre and post burial, confirmed Premier Lesufi, who also indicated President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, has also sent his message of condolences to the affected families and those It
“We’ve been in contact with the President as we provide daily updates,” says the Premier.
Minister of Basic Education- Siviwe Gwarube says national Government will provide help to the families.
“On this day, we’re supposed to be talking on how to improve the performances of schools, instead seated here, we’re talking about burials of young school children. It pains me,” she said.
“Its unfortunate that over 80 percent of road rules are broken by drivers, hence we find ourselves here, today.
Private scholar transport must be regulated, same as busses that are Government regulated and subsidised,” noted the minister, who said the department oversees over 700 000 scholar busses nationally.
It was also confirmed the taxi driver is not a member of any transport association in the Vaal area.
MEC Transport in Gauteng: Kedibone Diale-Tlabela noted that high rate of road fatalities in Gauteng, is a result of migration, as parents who seek greener pastures, come to Gauteng for work.
This overwhelms our roads hence such unfortunate incidents are more prone in this province, she pointed out.
“Road safety is a collective responsibility; and we need to do more to avoid such heartbreaking incidents,” she said.
Families will be consulted on way forward, thereafter the citizens will be notified on burial details, as per each family’s tradition, continued Premier Lesufi, who was flanked by GP MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, Sedibeng Mayor, Police Officials and other key figures.
MEC for health and wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has urged the public to rely solely on official government channels for updates.
She warned that the spread of false information is deepening trauma for affected families.
“Let us work together to protect the dignity of the victims and ensure accurate information reaches our communities. At a time when families are grieving, and communities are in shock, the spread of inaccurate figures causes unnecessary panic and deepens the trauma of those directly affected,” she said.
Image (Premier of GP- Panyaza Lesufi says Provincial Government will help bury the fallen scholars, who died on Monday in Vaal).
