A tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, claimed the lives of thirteen pupils on Monday, 19 January 2026. The horrific crash involved a private minibus taxi, transporting learners to approximately five schools, and a truck. The Gauteng Department of Education initially reported twelve deaths, but a further learner succumbed to injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll to thirteen. Of these, eleven students died at the scene, while two others passed away later due to their injuries.

Preliminary investigations by police spokesperson Brigadier Mavela Masondo suggest that the minibus taxi driver attempted to overtake two vehicles when it collided with an oncoming truck. The minibus driver, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving medical treatment in hospital. The condition of the truck driver remains uncertain. In addition to the fatalities, five other learners sustained critical injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Sebokeng and Kopanong hospitals.

The affected learners were from three public schools and two private schools, encompassing both primary and high school pupils. Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the scene, describing it as a truly tragic day for the department and the province. Chiloane extended deep condolences to the affected families and school communities and called for greater vigilance, particularly concerning private scholar transport, indicating there was reason to believe the driver had “a case to answer.”

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi also traveled to the site, labeling it a “terrible accident.” He highlighted the long-standing unregulated nature of the private scholar transport sector, stating that discussions were underway with the Minister of Transport to strengthen regulations and close existing loopholes, which he suggested contributed to the incident.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed profound sadness over the pupils’ deaths, deeming the incident distressing, especially as it coincided with the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) report on scholar transport in the North West. President Ramaphosa emphasized the nation’s children as its most precious assets and stressed the importance of protecting learners through adherence to road rules and ensuring the quality of service providers.

The Build One South Africa (Bosa) party urged MEC Chiloane to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the accident’s circumstances. Bosa called for the provincial government to ascertain the vehicle’s roadworthiness, the driver’s licensing status, and adherence to all scholar transport safety regulations, advocating for urgent intervention to strengthen oversight, enforcement, and standards across the entire scholar transport system. The Department of Basic Education has committed to providing psychosocial support to the affected learners, educators, and families, collaborating with the Gauteng department. They also urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, especially during peak school transport hours, and reiterated the critical importance of ensuring the safety and roadworthiness of all vehicles used for transporting learners.

Fatal road collisions are a prevalent issue in South Africa, often attributed to factors such as rampant speeding, reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles. In 2025 alone, 11,418 people died in crashes across the country, averaging 31 deaths per day, underscoring the severe challenges of road safety.