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A view at the scene of the scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark.
Gauteng police have confirmed that two more learners involved in the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash have died. This puts the death toll at 14.
Twelve learners were initially killed in Monday’s crash involving a minibus taxi and a truck.
The 22-year-old scholar transport driver is expected to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
He faces twelve counts of culpable homicide as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving.
Provincial police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo says, “The 22-year-old scholar transport driver is now facing fourteen (14) counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving after two more learners died in hospital in the early hours of Thursday, 22 January 2026. The suspect is expected to appear before Vanderbijlpark Magistrate Court this morning.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Q3o4SuBl0
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has confirmed that two more leaners have succumed to their injuries following the scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark.
The learners passed away in the early hours of this morning, bringing the death toll to forteen. Four other learners remain in hospital, one of whom has been discharged from the ICU.
Death toll rises to 14: MEC Matome Chiloane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NggwI1SyThA
Speaking to SABC News earlier today, MEC Chiloane warned scholar transport drivers against overloading vehicles and operating taxis that are not roadworthy. He emphasised that negligence and failure to comply with safety regulations continue to place learners’ lives at risk.
This follows another incident in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, where a minibus taxi driver was arrested for transporting more than 20 schoolchildren in one vehicle and for operating without a valid permit.
