Key Takeaways:
- The taxi driver involved in the tragic scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark was driving with an expired public driver’s permit.
- Twelve pupils were killed and five injured in the collision between the minibus taxi and a truck.
- The province of Gauteng has started cracking down on unsafe scholar transport, issuing hundreds of fines and notices to operators.
- The tragedy has highlighted the need for a review of laws and regulations around scholar transport, particularly private scholar transport which is difficult to monitor.
- The province is offering support to the families of the victims, including home visits, counselling, and help with funeral arrangements.
Introduction to the Tragedy
The Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has revealed that the taxi driver involved in the tragic scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark was driving with an expired public driver’s permit. The crash, which occurred on Monday, resulted in the deaths of twelve pupils and injured five others. The minibus taxi was carrying learners to school when it collided with a truck. Lesufi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, stating that "our hearts are not only bleeding, it’s becoming harder and harder to hold back our emotions."
Investigation and Arrest
The taxi driver, who was discharged from hospital, was arrested shortly after and is expected to appear in court soon. According to Lesufi, the driver’s Professional Driving Permit (PDP) had expired in November 2025. The truck driver, who was not seriously injured, has arranged to give a full statement to the police. The police investigation is ongoing, and the premier has assured that the province will do everything in its power to ensure that justice is served. All twelve pupils have now been identified, and ten of the bodies have been collected by their families, while two remain at the Sebokeng Forensic Pathology Services mortuary.
Support for the Families
The province of Gauteng is offering support to the families of the victims, including home visits, counselling, and help with funeral arrangements. Lesufi emphasized that the province is committed to providing assistance to those affected by the tragedy. The premier’s office is working closely with the families to ensure that they receive the necessary support during this difficult time. The tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout the community, and the province is doing everything possible to provide comfort and support to those affected.
Crackdown on Unsafe Scholar Transport
Lesufi revealed that the province had already started cracking down on unsafe scholar transport before the crash. Between January 12 and 18, traffic officers issued hundreds of fines and notices to operators in Johannesburg and Tshwane. The crackdown resulted in 335 handwritten notices being issued to operators in Tshwane, with fines totalling R511,000, while in Johannesburg, 442 notices were issued, amounting to R696,000 in penalties. Additionally, electronic enforcement measures flagged 263 infringements in Tshwane and 850 in Johannesburg. A total of 93 operating permits were discontinued across the province during this period, and 16 vehicles were impounded.
Regulation of Private Scholar Transport
Lesufi highlighted the challenges of regulating private scholar transport, which is often arranged between families and drivers. The premier noted that it is "extremely difficult" for the province to monitor these arrangements and gather statistics. While public scholar transport, which uses buses and carries over 260,000 learners daily, is regulated, private scholar transport remains a concern. The tragedy has made it clear that laws and regulations around scholar transport need to be reviewed to prevent such incidents in the future.
Call for Legislative Review
Lesufi emphasized that the tragedy has made it clear that laws and regulations around scholar transport need to be reviewed. The premier stated that "an incident of this magnitude calls for a review of some of our legislation and regulations. We must eliminate this kind of behaviour within the transport sector." The province is committed to taking a closer look at the current laws and regulations governing scholar transport to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The review will aim to identify gaps and weaknesses in the current system and propose measures to strengthen regulation and enforcement.
