JUST IN I Honoring Young Lives
Vanderbijlpark – A sombre memorial service unfolded on Friday at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex in Sebokeng, where families, friends, and community members gathered to pay tribute to the 14 young learners who tragically lost their lives in a horrific scholar transport crash earlier this week. The event, filled with tears, prayers, and heartfelt remembrances, served as a moment for collective grieving in the Vaal area, as the nation reflects on the devastating loss of innocent lives cut short on their way to school.
The service began around 11:00, with many arriving early to share in the sorrow. Schools in the Vanderbijlpark area let learners out at 11:00 to allow them to attend, showing how deeply the tragedy has touched the local education community. This gathering comes just days after the accident on Monday, 19 January 2026, highlighting the raw pain still felt by parents who expected their children to return home safely that day.
The Tragic Crash That Shook the Vaal
The accident happened around 07:00 on the R553 Golden Highway, between Bophelong and Sebokeng, near the ArcelorMittal steel plant. A minibus taxi, carrying schoolchildren to various institutions, collided head-on with a side tipper truck. The impact was so severe that the minibus was mangled beyond recognition, scattering debris across the road and bringing traffic to a standstill.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the horror was immediate. Eleven learners died right there, their young bodies pulled from the wreckage. One more passed away shortly after in hospital, bringing the initial toll to 12. However, the heartbreak deepened when two additional injured learners succumbed to their wounds on Thursday, 22 January 2026, raising the total to 14. These children, ranging from primary to high school ages, were simply heading to class, dreaming of futures that were stolen in an instant.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with parents arriving in panic, crying uncontrollably as they searched for their little ones. The road, a busy route often used by scholar transports, became a site of unimaginable grief. Police and medical teams worked tirelessly, but the scale of the loss left everyone stunned. This stretch of highway has seen its share of accidents, often linked to heavy vehicles and high speeds, but nothing prepared the community for this level of devastation.
Remembering the Young Victims
The 14 learners came from everyday families in the Vaal, each with stories of promise and joy. Among them were Thato Moetji and Sagwadi Mathe, two Grade 12 girls from Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark, who were looking forward to their final year and beyond. Other victims attended nearby schools, their names etched in the hearts of classmates and teachers who now face empty desks.
A particularly poignant moment emerged online, where a video surfaced of one young girl expressing a simple wish: “When I have passed on.” Shared after her death, it captured the innocence lost and reminded everyone of the fragility of life. Families have shared how these children were full of energy – some loved sports, others excelled in class, all bringing light to their homes.
The memorial included tributes like poems, songs, and displays of school uniforms, symbolising the futures interrupted. Candles were lit in their honour, a quiet glow against the backdrop of sorrow. A joint funeral is planned for Sunday at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng, where the community will come together once more to say final goodbyes, with individual services for some on Saturday.
Legal Proceedings and Accountability
In the wake of the crash, attention turned to the 22-year-old minibus driver, Ayanda “Biggie” Dludla, who survived the collision. He appeared briefly in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing 14 counts of murder, along with charges related to reckless driving and possible violations of transport rules. The case has been postponed for further investigation, but the murder charges underscore the seriousness, suggesting authorities believe his actions directly led to the deaths.
Prosecutors are looking into factors like speeding, overloading, or mechanical faults in the minibus. The truck driver, whose vehicle was involved, has not been charged yet, but the probe includes examining road conditions and whether heavy trucks should share routes with scholar transports. Community members have raised questions about driver licensing and vehicle checks, wondering how such a young operator was behind the wheel of a vehicle carrying so many lives.
This legal step brings some hope for justice, but for families, no court outcome can replace their children. Calls have grown for stricter regulations, including mandatory safety inspections and better training for scholar transport operators.
Official Responses and Support
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi attended the memorial, offering words of comfort and promising government aid for funerals and counselling. He spoke of the need to protect children, saying the province would review scholar transport contracts to prevent future tragedies. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube also addressed the gathering, describing her visits to grieving families as “heartbreaking but necessary.” She highlighted the duty to ensure safe journeys to school, pledging more resources for oversight.
President Cyril Ramaphosa observed a moment of silence in parliament earlier in the week, mourning the initial 12 lives lost and calling it a national tragedy. Support services, including psycho-social teams from the education department, have been deployed to schools and homes, helping learners process the trauma. The ANC in Sebokeng held a candlelight prayer ceremony on Thursday, drawing crowds to unite in faith and remembrance.
Trade union COSATU joined a memorial prayer gathering in Vanderbijlpark, honouring the young victims and urging action on road safety. These efforts show a community wrapping around the bereaved, providing meals, transport, and emotional support in these dark days.
Community Grief and Calls for Change
The Vaal area, known for its tight-knit neighbourhoods, has been enveloped in mourning. Shops and streets fell quiet as news spread, with residents sharing stories of the children they knew. Parents now question sending their kids on similar transports, fearing the same fate. One local described seeing reckless driving by another scholar transport just days after, underscoring ongoing risks.
This accident has sparked wider discussions on scholar transport safety across South Africa. Overloading, poor vehicle maintenance, and unqualified drivers are common issues, leading to repeated crashes. In recent years, similar incidents in provinces like Gauteng and the North West have claimed young lives, prompting inquiries but slow changes. Experts call for dedicated lanes for school vehicles, GPS tracking, and government subsidies to upgrade fleets.
Communities demand answers: Are vehicles roadworthy? Do drivers have proper licences? The tragedy has united voices, from parents to politicians, pushing for reforms to make school commutes safe. As one grieving mother put it, “Our children deserve better than this.”
Looking Forward Amid the Pain
As the memorial service wrapped up with songs of hope and hugs among strangers, the focus shifts to healing and prevention. The joint funeral on Sunday will be another step in saying goodbye, but the legacy of these 14 learners will live on in calls for safer roads. Vanderbijlpark and the Vaal will remember them not just in grief, but in actions to protect future generations.
This heartbreaking event reminds everyone of the preciousness of young lives and the urgent need for change. In honouring them, the community vows to turn pain into progress, ensuring no more families endure such loss.
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