Deadly Scholar Transport Crash in Vanderbijlpark Highlights Road Safety Crisis

VANDERBIJLPARK, South Africa, The deadly scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark, Vaal, has drawn attention to an ongoing national road safety crisis, according to Emfuleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor Sipho Radebe.

The tragic collision on 19 January 2026 involved a minibus used for scholar transport and a truck, resulting in the deaths of 13 learners and leaving several others critically injured.

Mayor Radebe attributed the crash in part to the pressure on taxi and scholar transport drivers to meet strict schedules, which he says encourages risky driving.

“Safety must come first, even if it means being late,” Radebe said. “This has become a national crisis. Drivers are under pressure to meet targets, which affects their tolerance on the road. Based on reports, this incident occurred around 7:30 a.m., suggesting the driver may have been rushing.”

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane described the province as devastated by the tragedy and called for stricter oversight of private scholar transport.

“I urge parents and schools to exercise greater vigilance. Schools should maintain registers of every vehicle and driver transporting learners, so accountability is clear,” Chiloane said.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash, while communities mourn the loss of young lives in what has become one of the most tragic road accidents in the region in recent years.