Vaal Crash latest: 12 learners killed, three hospitalised

The Gauteng Department of Education says one pupil remains unidentified among the 12 learners who were killed in a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark, while three children are still in hospital, including one in a private facility.

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona briefed the media on Tuesday at Hoërskool Vanderbijl, where two learners died in the crash.

“Out of the 12 learners who passed away, we still have one unidentified child,” Mabona said.

He said officials had been deployed to the government mortuary to assist families who may arrive to identify loved ones.

“We are comforted that the child will be identified,” he said.

Mabona said three learners remain hospitalised.

“Two are in public hospitals and one was transferred last night to a private hospital following intervention by the parents,” he said.

He added that one learner had been discharged after receiving medical attention, while the truck assistant involved in the crash had also been discharged. 

The scholar transport driver was discharged on Monday night and is being processed by police.

“We are aware that the driver was discharged last night and is being processed by the police. They are better placed to explain how they are managing the matter,” Mabona said.

The department visited Hoërskool Vanderbijl to provide psychosocial support to affected families, learners, teachers and the broader school community.

Mabona said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane would visit the families of the deceased at noon on Wednesday.

“We know that there is a family that lost two children, and we will also visit the other families of the learners who passed away,” he said.

Later in the day, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and members of the provincial executive are expected to brief the media at 3pm on the government’s response and next steps.

“This will be an update on how we are moving forward from here,” Mabona said.

He urged members of the public to refrain from circulating unverified content on social media, particularly AI-generated images.

“It is unnecessary for people to create graphics and circulate them while families are mourning. How must families feel when pictures of children who are not theirs are shared and people pretend to grieve with them?” he said.

Mabona said the department would seek permission from families before releasing names or photographs of the deceased.

“Families are not the same. Some will want to engage with the media, others will not. We will respect those wishes,” he said.

He said officials were working to coordinate memorial services and funeral arrangements, and welcomed assistance from community members and organisations.

Psychosocial support has already been rolled out at several affected schools and will continue, Mabona said.

The breakdown of fatalities by school is as follows: Hoërskool Vanderbijl (two), Vaal High School (one), Oakwood Primary School (one), Vaal Triangle Primary School (one), Oliver Lodge Primary School (one), Noordhoek Primary School (one), El Shaddai Independent School (four), and one unidentified learner.

Mabona said the learner who was discharged had been treated at Kopanong Hospital.

“She is not in a critical condition,” he said.

Mabona said a consolidated statement from all relevant departments, including community safety and transport, is expected later on Wednesday. Municipal representatives are also expected to attend the briefing.

“The transport department will explain how the matter is being handled, and police will clarify the status of the driver,” Mabona said.

He said Gauteng police was the best placed to confirm whether the driver had been arrested or released after processing.

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