By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) have arrested a 22-year-old man who was the driver of the scholar transport vehicle that collided with a truck and left 12 dead in Vanderbijlpark, South of Johannesburg.
The death toll has since been revised to 12 as opposed to 13 as initially reported.
Fullview leant that three learners were admitted in the intensive care unit and a fourth learner was airlifted to a private hospital in Alberton on Monday night.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the driver was arrested after being discharged from hospital.
“He is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court within 48 hours, facing 12 counts of culpable homicide as well as reckless and negligent driving,” Masondo said.
He said police had visited hospitals and the mortuary to verify the number of fatalities and injuries.
“It can be confirmed that 12 learners died on the scene of the accident and five were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, of whom one has since been discharged,” Masondo said.
Masondo added that the driver of the truck involved in the crash escaped unharmed, while the passenger sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital.
“Investigations are under way as police continue to obtain witness statements,” he said.
Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department was working closely with families and authorities to ensure clarity and support during the identification process.
“As the department, we want to confirm that the number of learners who passed away is 12. Out of the 12, one child is still unidentified,” Mabona said.
He said education officials have been deployed to the government mortuary to assist families as they arrive to identify their loved ones, adding that the department remains confident the outstanding identification will be concluded.
Later in the afternoon, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and members of the provincial executive are expected to brief the media on the government’s coordinated response and next steps.
Mabona also appealed to the public to act responsibly, warning against the spread of unverified information and AI-generated images on social media.