Families affected by the devastating Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash say they are still waiting for answers, accountability, and meaningful engagement from the owner of the vehicle involved and the taxi association linked to the driver. The tragic incident, which occurred earlier this week in the Vaal area, has left the community reeling, with parents grappling with grief, trauma, and unanswered questions as investigations continue.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, scenes of panic and confusion unfolded as emergency responders rushed to rescue trapped learners and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. According to relatives of the pupils, this chaos made it impossible for families to establish contact with the transport operator or any representatives from the taxi association. Parents say this lack of communication has only deepened their pain and frustration.
One of the affected parents, Tello Matolo, whose Grade 8 child survived the collision, described the incident as emotionally overwhelming. His child is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU), receiving specialized medical treatment. While grateful that his child survived, Matolo said the experience has been traumatic and the uncertainty surrounding recovery remains deeply distressing.
Matolo explained that emergency services, police, and medical teams were understandably focused on saving lives, but families were left without information once the initial crisis passed. “We understand the urgency of the rescue efforts,” he said, “but afterward, there was no communication. Parents are desperate for reassurance and accountability.”
The emotional toll, Matolo added, extends far beyond physical injuries. Families who lost children and those whose children survived are all struggling mentally and emotionally. He stressed the urgent need for psychological support, not only for parents but also for learners who witnessed the horrific crash. Many children, he said, may carry lasting trauma if counseling services are not provided promptly.
The crash occurred on Monday when a scholar transport vehicle carrying schoolchildren collided with a truck in the Vanderbijlpark area. The tragedy sent shockwaves across the community and the country, reigniting concerns about the safety of learner transport services and the conduct of some drivers on public roads.
Preliminary reports suggest that the scholar transport driver may have attempted to overtake another vehicle and failed to notice an oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision. Authorities have cautioned that these details are still under investigation and have not yet been officially confirmed.
Initial reports indicated that 13 learners had died in the crash. However, the Gauteng Department of Education later revised the death toll to 12 after verifying hospital and official records. Both the scholar transport driver and the truck driver survived and are expected to cooperate fully with investigators. Their statements, along with vehicle inspections and road condition assessments, will play a key role in determining what led to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, three learners remain hospitalized, with one airlifted to a private medical facility due to the severity of their injuries. Medical teams have confirmed that the injured pupils are under close observation as doctors monitor their progress.
As the investigation continues, families and community members are calling for stricter regulation of scholar transport services, improved safety standards, and accountability for those responsible. For now, parents say their focus is on healing, supporting one another, and ensuring that justice is pursued through lawful processes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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