Following the deadly head-on collision that claimed the lives of 12 learners on Monday between Fred Droste Road and Golden Highway in Vanderbijlpark, which falls under Emfuleni Local Municipality in the Vaal triangle, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has made a call for a large-scale investigation into the horrific road accident. Initial reports put the number of fatalities at 12. However, police and the Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona revised the number of fatalities to 12.
The accident, which involved a truck and a scholar transport minibus, claimed the lives of 12 learners who were being transported to various schools. Scores others had to be hospitalised.
Eyewitness account fingers driver
Eyewitnesses alleged that the scholar transport minibus that was transporting the learners from Sebokeng to Vanderbijlpark attempted to overtake four vehicles, which were heading in the same direction.
“The driver of the scholar transport overtook four cars heading in the direction of Vanderbijlpark. However, before he could overtake all the cars, a truck that had the right of way in its lane, tried to avoid a head-on collision. As the truck driver swerved off-road to avoid causing an accident, the scholar transport also went in the same direction. And it collided with the truck,” said an eyewitness.
The accident prompted the IFP to raise concerns about reckless driving and legal compliance regarding the transportation of learners by those who are in the business of ferrying schoolchildren to school and back home.
“The IFP urges law enforcement authorities to establish, without delay, whether the minibus was roadworthy. If it was legally compliant, and if it was fit to transport learners. And including whether it adhered to all traffic and transport regulations.
IFP demands action on the matter
“We remain deeply concerned by the recurring pattern of fatal road accidents across South Africa. Accountability must not be placed solely on drivers. Vehicle owners, operators, and transport companies must be held fully liable where negligence, overloading, or non-compliance is identified. Lives are lost when profit is placed above safety,” said IFP’s chief whip in parliament, Nhlanhla Hadebe.
Hadebe also urged parents and scholar transport operators to exercise heightened vigilance and responsibility. This through ensuring that vehicles transporting children are roadworthy, properly maintained, and not overloaded.
“The safety of learners must never be compromised. This tragic incident is particularly disturbing. It undermines the progress made by law enforcement agencies, who succeeded in reducing road fatalities by 5% during the recent festive season.
“Such preventable tragedies reverse these hard-won gains. And they… expose persistent failures in transport safety, compliance, and enforcement. Most accidents of this nature are not unavoidable. They are preventable tragedies that point to systemic weaknesses which demand decisive action,” said Hadebe.
The party also extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased learners, their classmates, educators, and the broader community of the Sedibeng District which is affected by tragedy and loss of lives.
Education MEC calls for vigilance
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this unimaginably painful time. And we wish a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries,” said Hadebe.
On Monday, the MEC for education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, also raised concerns. He called for heightened vigilance when it comes to scholar transport safety.
“It really is a tragic day for us as the department and the province. We extend our deepest condolences to the learners, families, and school communities affected. We call for greater vigilance when it comes to scholar transports, particularly private scholar transport,” said MEC Chiloane.
On Tuesday, the driver of the doomed scholar transport minibus was arrested immediately after he was discharged from hospital.
Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Mavela Masondo confirmed the arrest. He said the 22-year-old driver is facing 12 charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving.
The driver will appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court within 48 hours.
