Vanderbijlpark crash highlights SA’s road crisis: Emfuleni Mayor

The scene of a deadly scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark on 19 January 2026

Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor Sipho Radebe says the deadly scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark highlights a growing national crisis on South Africa’s roads.

On Monday morning, a minibus used as scholar transport and a truck collided, claiming the lives of 14 learners. Four others were critically injured.

Radebe says pressure on taxi and scholar transport drivers to meet tight schedules is contributing to dangerous driving behaviour.

“Remember, this has become a national crisis, everywhere we know. We understand taxi people that they are working on target and which is making them not to be tolerant on the road on the way. We are also calling them that, please, safety first, we can rather be late. This happened around 7:30, so I can tell you that the driver was late and he was under pressure.”

WATCH | The death toll from a scholar transport crash carrying learners to school in the Vaal has risen to 13, with some learners in critical condition. SABC News reporter Lopang Alamu is at the scene. pic.twitter.com/r7iFHqagOe

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 19, 2026