Behind the fatal school vehicle crash in the Vaal, driver's past history and permit under scrutiny

The road was littered with blood-stained school bags, and the wrecked Toyota Quantum lay on its side, only two seats remaining. As emergency personnel laboured frantically among the debris, screams, cries, and fainting parents filled the air.

This was the scene on Monday morning, January 19, when a truck and an overloaded scholar transport vehicle carrying eighteen people collided head-on in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal, killing thirteen children.

Police have since opened a case of culpable homicide and warned that additional charges may be added.

Cries of anguish pierced the air as distraught parents collapsed at the scene. Families, classmates, and educators struggled to come to terms with the devastating loss. Some parents rushed to the scene moments after hearing about the accident on social media, still in their pyjamas, only to be confronted with a nightmare.

One mother, who lost two children in the crash, collapsed in agony as emergency personnel tried to assist her.

“Two of my children are dead. I just want to see their bodies. What did I do to God to deserve this? I just want to die,” she cried, unable to stand as grief overwhelmed her.

Colonel Mavela Masondo, Gauteng police spokesperson, confirmed that several learners were injured and taken to hospital. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Quantum was attempting to overtake four vehicles when it collided head-on with an oncoming truck. He said the death toll at the scene had initially been reported as 11 but has now risen to 13.

Masondo added that four learners and the vehicle’s driver were taken to Sebokeng Hospital, while one learner and the assisted truck driver were taken to Kopanong Hospital.

“Several learners were injured and rushed to hospital. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Quantum was overtaking four vehicles when it collided with an oncoming truck.

''Initially, 11 fatalities were reported at the scene, but the death toll has now risen to 13. Four learners and the driver of the Quantum were transported to Sebokeng Hospital, while one learner and the assisted truck driver were taken to Kopanong Hospital,” Masondo said.

He said investigations are still at an early stage, with statements obtained from witnesses, including the taxi driver. The truck driver survived the crash but remains unconscious.

Concerns over the driver’s qualifications have now emerged. Sources close to the scene told The Star that the 22-year-old driver of the Quantum had previously been reprimanded by other motorists for reckless driving and does not possess a professional driving permit (PDP).

Masondo confirmed the driver’s age and said part of the investigation is to determine whether he holds a valid PDP and whether the vehicle was roadworthy at the time of the crash.

An eyewitness described the moments leading to the collision, stating that the taxi involved overtook several vehicles at high speed before colliding with the truck.

“The taxi overtook me and several other cars. I slowed down to give it space because we could see a truck approaching, but the driver ignored that. The truck driver tried to avoid the crash by swerving, but the taxi also moved into that lane, and that’s where they collided. The taxi went straight into oncoming traffic,” the eyewitness said.

As mortuary vehicles arrived to remove the young bodies, the scene descended into unbearable heartbreak, with parents wailing, collapsing, and clinging to one another. Condolences have since poured in from across the province.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the scene as devastating. He said it was clear the taxi had attempted to overtake several vehicles before colliding with the truck and that the truck driver had tried to swerve to avoid the impact, but it was unavoidable.

“It’s an unbearable situation, an unbearable scene. The investigating team has just briefed me, but there are one or two things that I still need. It is clear that the taxi was trying to overtake several cars and unfortunately, it was confronted by the truck,” Lesufi said.

He warned that the growing private scholar transport sector urgently needed stricter regulation, which he said had been left unmonitored for far too long.

“I really feel that we have left this sector unregulated for quite some time. I said to the MEC (Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane), now, I want him and the MEC for transport to immediately find a way of finding an available date for us to go and meet with this sector.  I really feel that we need to engage this sector.

“Remember, within the scholar transport we have some regulations, but the private scholar transport system, I think there are lots and lots of loose ends, and unfortunately, this is the price we have paid this morning,” said Lesufi.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko, conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased learners and assured families of the injured that survivors are receiving quality care in Gauteng’s public health facilities. She also said counselling is being offered to affected families.

The Star

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