A devastating road accident on the Golden Highway in Vanderbijlpark has left South Africa mourning the loss of 13 schoolchildren after a scholar transport minibus collided head-on with a truck during the early morning rush. Authorities have confirmed that human error was the primary cause of the crash, which has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of learner transport across the country.
Among the victims was 13-year-old Bokamoso Mokhobo, whose life was tragically cut short on what was meant to be her first day of high school. The Sebokeng teenager was filled with excitement as she prepared for the milestone moment, carefully fixing her hair and eagerly looking forward to the new chapter ahead. Sadly, she never made it to school. Bokamoso was travelling in a private scholar transport when the driver attempted to overtake other vehicles and collided with an oncoming truck.
Bokamoso was one of the learners from several schools in the Vaal area, including Vaal High School, Vaal Primary School, Suncrest High School, El-Shaddai Christian School, Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark and Oliver Lodge Primary School. Four other children survived the crash and remain in hospital receiving medical treatment.
According to Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane, the accident occurred at approximately 6.50am. Preliminary investigations revealed that the minibus taxi driver attempted to overtake another vehicle but failed to see an articulated truck approaching from the opposite direction. In trying to return to the correct lane, the minibus crashed head-on into the truck. The taxi driver sustained minor injuries, while the truck driver escaped unharmed. One passenger in the truck suffered slight injuries.
At the crash scene, distraught parents and relatives gathered in disbelief, some collapsing in grief as they awaited news of their children. Bokamoso’s family was informed that she was still alive when emergency services arrived but later succumbed to her injuries on the way to hospital. For many families, the pain was compounded by the difficulty of identifying their loved ones due to the severity of the injuries.
Another victim, Letlotlo Makwe, a Grade 2 learner from Vaal Primary School, was remembered by her grandmother as a joyful and energetic child who loved beauty and life. She had boarded the same scholar transport she had used since crèche, unaware that it would be her final journey. At the Sebokeng mortuary, scenes of heartbreak unfolded as parents waited anxiously to identify their children and search for answers.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the minibus driver had attempted to overtake several vehicles before the fatal collision, tearing the taxi apart on impact. Maremane stressed that the tragedy highlights the urgent need to strengthen scholar transport safety measures. While traffic authorities conduct regular school patrols and vehicle inspections, compliance remains a major challenge.
Recent operations by the Gauteng traffic inspectorate revealed alarming results, including dozens of minibuses operating without valid licence discs or drivers’ licences, and many vehicles being discontinued for failing safety standards. Officials reiterated that nearly 80% of road crashes are caused by human error, calling on transport operators to prioritise safety and voluntarily submit vehicles for testing.
As communities mourn the young lives lost, the tragedy stands as a painful reminder of the responsibility placed on those entrusted with transporting children and the urgent need to prevent such heartbreak from happening again.
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