Key Takeaways
- The driver of the scholar taxi involved in the Vaal horror crash has been charged with culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.
- The driver is expected to appear in court within 48 hours.
- The death toll from the crash has been revised to 12, with all but one of the deceased children identified.
- Three pupils remain hospitalized, with one in a critical condition after being airlifted to a private medical facility.
- Government officials have visited affected schools, including Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark, to offer support and assistance.
Introduction to the Incident
The driver of the scholar taxi involved in Monday’s Vaal horror crash has been charged with culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. The crash, which occurred at the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Vanderbijlpark, resulted in the deaths of 12 children and left several others injured. The driver, a 22-year-old male, was arrested after being discharged from the hospital and is expected to appear in court within 48 hours. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that investigations are underway and that police are continuing to obtain witness statements.
Government Response and Support
Government officials visited Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark, one of the schools affected by the crash, on Tuesday morning to offer support and assistance. Other affected schools include Vaal High School, Oakwood Primary School, Vaal Triangle Primary School, Oliver Lodge Primary School, and Elshaddai Christian School. The Gauteng Education Department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, provided an update on the identification efforts, stating that all but one of the deceased children, as well as the survivors of the crash, had been identified. The department is working with families to identify the remaining child and is providing assistance to those who have lost loved ones.
Update on the Victims and Survivors
The death toll from the crash was initially reported as 13, but was later revised to 12. Three pupils remain hospitalized, with one in a critical condition after being airlifted to a private medical facility. The injured children were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sebokeng Hospital, with one learner remaining critically unstable and the other two in a critical but stable condition. The Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, stated that all the ICU patients are female, aged 10, 15, and 16, and that the learner who was airlifted is a 17-year-old female.
Investigation and Next Steps
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with police working to obtain witness statements and gather evidence. The driver’s court appearance is expected to take place within 48 hours, where he will face charges of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. The Gauteng Education Department and other government agencies are providing support and assistance to the affected families and schools. The department has also clarified that a poster circulating on social media, purporting to feature images of the children who died, is fake.
Conclusion and Support for Affected Families
The Vaal horror crash has sent shockwaves through the community, and the government is working to provide support and assistance to the affected families and schools. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and the driver is expected to face charges in court. The Gauteng Education Department and other government agencies are working to finalize all autopsies and provide assistance to those who have lost loved ones. The community is coming together to support the affected families, and the government is urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward and assist with the investigation.
