Communities across the Vaal region and South Africa at large are reeling with grief and anger following a devastating school transport accident that claimed the lives of 12 learners. The tragic crash occurred on the morning of **Monday, 19 January 2026**, along the R553 Golden Highway near Vanderbijlpark, as children were being transported to school.
According to preliminary investigations, a scholar transport minibus collided head-on with a heavy truck under circumstances believed to involve reckless driving. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but several children died instantly, while others were critically injured and later succumbed to their wounds in hospital. The victims included learners from both primary and secondary schools, leaving families shattered and communities traumatised.
Heartbroken parents have since spoken out, demanding justice and accountability for what they describe as an avoidable tragedy. Many families say they entrusted the transport operator with their children’s lives, expecting safety and responsibility. Some parents revealed that they lost more than one child in the crash, a pain they say no parent should ever endure.
Survivors of the accident remain hospitalised, receiving treatment for serious physical injuries and emotional trauma. Counselling services have been made available to affected learners, families, and educators as schools struggle to process the sudden loss of so many pupils.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the scholar transport vehicle was later arrested after being discharged from hospital. He is expected to face multiple charges, including **culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving**. Further investigations revealed that the driver’s **Professional Driving Permit (PDP) had expired**, raising serious concerns about compliance and oversight within the scholar transport sector.
The revelation has intensified public outrage, with parents and community leaders calling for stricter regulation of private school transport operators. Many argue that government oversight has been inadequate and that lives were lost due to failures that could have been prevented through proper licensing, vehicle inspections, and enforcement of road safety laws.
Provincial leaders and government officials have expressed their condolences to the grieving families and promised decisive action. Authorities have committed to reviewing scholar transport regulations and increasing road safety checks to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation to establish the full sequence of events leading to the crash.
Vigils, prayer services, and memorials have been held across the Vaal, as residents come together to mourn the young lives lost. Candles, flowers, and school uniforms have been laid near the crash site, symbolising a collective grief shared by a nation.
As South Africa mourns, families continue to call for justice — not only for their children but for all learners who rely on scholar transport daily. They hope that accountability, meaningful reform, and stronger safety measures will ensure that no other family experiences such a devastating loss.
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