The death toll from the tragic scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark has risen to 14 after another learner succumbed to injuries in hospital, deepening the heartbreak that has gripped families and communities across the Vaal.
UPDATE | OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION:
Since publication, the Gauteng Department of Health has clarified that the confirmed death toll in the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash is 12 learners. Earlier reports citing higher figures were based on unverified information during a rapidly evolving emergency.
Readers can find the latest verified update here.
The collision, which occurred on Monday morning, 19 January 2026, initially claimed the lives of 11 learners at the scene. As the day progressed, the number rose to 13, and authorities have now confirmed that a further learner has died from critical injuries sustained in the crash.
The accident involved a scholar transport minibus taxi and a truck travelling in the opposite direction. According to Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the scholar transport was attempting to overtake multiple vehicles moments before the head-on collision.
“The private scholar transport driver was trying to overtake multiple vehicles at a time. Given the time of the incident and the number of schools involved, it is likely he was trying to make up lost time,” Chiloane said. “As he was overtaking, the truck came from the opposite direction.”
Five learners were injured in the crash, with three initially reported to be in a critical condition. Authorities had earlier warned that the death toll could still rise due to the severity of injuries sustained.
The tragedy has renewed urgent calls for tighter regulation and oversight of scholar transport. The South African National Taxi Council Santaco said the crash highlights the need to prioritise learner safety above all else.
Santaco secretary Graham Fritz urged both operators and parents to ensure that vehicles transporting learners are roadworthy, compliant, and regularly inspected, stressing that safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also conveyed his condolences to the affected families, confirming that psychological and trauma support will be provided to learners, families, and school staff impacted by the tragedy.
Investigations into the crash continue as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events that led to one of the deadliest scholar transport accidents in recent years.
Read | Gauteng Health Revises Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport Death Toll to 12
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