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The funeral service of Grade 12 and 8 learners from Hoerskool Vanderbijlpark, Thato Moetjie and Bokamoso Mokhobo, along with Ofentse Jayden Vinger, a Grade 1 learner who was attending Oliver Lodge Primary School taking place in Sebokeng in the Vaal, January 25, 2026.
A friend and classmate of Thato Moetjie, a Grade 12 learner from Hoerskool Vanderbijlpark who’s among the fourteen learners who died in Monday’s Vanderbijlpark crash, has recounted the last moments they shared together.
Sibongile Miya says Moetjie was so happy on Friday, the 16th, when they made TikTok videos at school, but she did not know that was their last time together.
Moetjie and thirteen others died when their scholar transport taxi collided with a truck along the Golden highway on their way to school.
Miya says the incident has left her traumatised.
“She was literally happy and I did not think that it would be our last day. And that it would be the last day I see her on the 16th. I’m scared and I’m not ok.”
Flora Dube, a distraught community member, says they’re still devastated and it will take a little bit of time for them to heal.
She’s part of the multitudes attending the joint funeral services for three of the fourteen learners who died in the crash.
The service is underway at the Saul Tsotetsi sports grounds in Sebokeng in the Vaal.
Dube recalled receiving a call informing her about the tragic crash.
“I was shocked because my kids were on their way to school when we found out about that accident. Somebody sent me a WhatsApp message asking if the kids were fine. And it was when we started seeing the news that we became concerned. It was a very sad day for us and we are still thinking about them.”
VIDEO | Joint funeral service for three Vanderbijlpark learners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpXiNhaSyLA
