A devastated mother whose two children died in the horrific Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash says no arrest, court case or conviction will ever ease the pain her family now lives with. The deadly collision, which occurred on Monday, 19 January 2026, involved a minibus taxi transporting learners and a side tipper truck, claiming the lives of 13 children and leaving several others seriously injured.
The tragedy has plunged families across the Vaal region into deep mourning and has once again raised urgent concerns about the safety and regulation of scholar transport in Gauteng. As investigations continue, affected families are grappling with the unimaginable reality of children who left home for school and never returned.
Speaking to Eyewitness News at the crash site, the grieving mother described a home filled with silence and reminders of lives abruptly cut short. School uniforms now hang untouched, and bedrooms once filled with laughter stand empty. She said no form of justice could ever replace what her family has lost.
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“Nothing will bring us peace,” she said through tears. “No arrest, no court ruling. My children are gone. They left for school and never came back.” In a moment of raw anguish, she pleaded for her children’s return, questioning why such a tragedy had been allowed to strike her family.
Police have confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened, with both drivers involved in the crash under investigation. Forensic and mechanical examinations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collision. Four learners remain in hospital in serious condition, while post-mortem examinations are being conducted on those who died.
Another parent affected by the crash, a father who lost his 17-year-old daughter, described the accident scene as resembling a murder site rather than a traffic collision. He recalled the overwhelming devastation he encountered when he arrived near the scene between Bophelong and Sebokeng, struggling to comprehend the scale of the loss.
The father spoke fondly of his daughter, describing her as a church-loving teenager with a deep passion for music. He said her death has left a permanent void in his family, one that words cannot fill. “She had so many dreams,” he said. “Now everything has been taken away in a moment.”
Witnesses to the crash have also shared harrowing accounts. A cyclist who came upon the scene described being overcome with emotion as he saw bodies lying on the road and survivors in shock. According to reports, the minibus taxi had allegedly attempted to overtake other vehicles moments before colliding with the truck.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter monitoring and enforcement of learner transport regulations. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane revealed that the minibus driver involved had reportedly been reprimanded for reckless driving just a week before the fatal crash. His comments have raised serious questions about oversight and accountability within the private scholar transport sector.
As the Vaal community mourns, families are calling for meaningful action to prevent similar tragedies. For parents who have lost children, however, the pain remains immeasurable. Justice may follow, but for them, life will never be the same again.
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