Gauteng police have arrested the 22-year-old driver of the private scholar transport vehicle involved in a deadly collision that claimed the lives of 12 learners in Vanderbijlpark on Monday morning, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The accident occurred at approximately 07:00 on Fred Droste Road (R553) on 19 January 2026 when a private commuter scholar transport vehicle collided with a side tipper truck while transporting learners to school.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said police visited hospitals and the mortuary to verify the fatalities and confirmed that 12 learners died at the scene. Five others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, of whom one has since been discharged.
The truck driver involved in the collision escaped unharmed, while the truck’s passenger was injured and remains in hospital.
Masondo confirmed that the scholar transport driver was arrested after being discharged from hospital and is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court within 48 hours. He faces 12 counts of culpable homicide as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving.
Police said investigations are ongoing as officers continue to obtain witness statements and gather evidence.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane and Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited the scene on Monday, describing the incident as a “tragic day” for the province and extending condolences to the families and school communities affected. Chiloane said, “We are devastated by the loss of all the learners who were involved, young lives taken far too soon.”
Lesufi has since called for a review and stronger regulation of scholar transport systems to prevent similar tragedies, noting concerns about compliance and safety within the industry.
Government officials have also reported that the scholar transport vehicle was operating with an expired Public Driver’s Permit (PDP), meaning the driver was not legally authorised to transport learners at the time of the crash. Gauteng Premier Lesufi confirmed this detail at a media briefing on Tuesday.
The crash has prompted an outpouring of grief across the Sedibeng region. Schools affected include Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark and several primary schools whose pupils were among those killed or injured. Psychosocial support services have been deployed to assist families, teachers and learners.