A 22-year-old scholar transport driver is set to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on charges of negligent and reckless driving, as well as 12 counts of culpable homicide, following the deaths of 12 learners.

Police have confirmed that the scholar transport vehicle collided with a truck. The driver sustained injuries during the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but was discharged last night. The truck driver was not injured.

Initial reports indicated that 14 learners had lost their lives, however, the Gauteng Department of Health has since revised the death toll to 12.

Three learners, aged 10, 15 and 16, have been admitted to intensive care units, while a fourth learner, aged 17, has been transferred to a private medical facility. Two others are in critical but stable condition. Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information.

“Let us work together to protect the dignity of the victims and ensure accurate information reaches our communities. At a time when families are grieving and communities are in shock, the spread of inaccurate figures causes’ unnecessary panic and deepens the trauma of those directly affected.”

She further urged the public, community leaders and media platforms to avoid sharing unverified information that could be distressing to others.

“We commit to transparency and timely updates as soon as facts are fully verified.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa says the Road Traffic Management Corporation has launched its own investigation into the crash, despite earlier assurances of increased patrols and inspections of scholar transport vehicles.

A total of six people were killed in separate incidents within three kilometres of each other in the Maitland area on Tuesday morning.  

Officers responded to the first incident in Melck Street in Ndabeni at 02:50. At the time, a passerby found a dog lying in a pool of blood.  

A spokesperson for the Western Cape SAPS, Colonel Andre Traut, said further investigation led police to the discovery of four bodies, three women and one man. 

“Upon responding, members discovered three women aged between 20 and 52, and an adult male, inside an informal dwelling. All four victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds,” said Traut.  

Traut noted that the Serious Violent Crime Unit are following up on leads, but did not clarify whether a motive for the murders had been identified.  

Just minutes later, at 02:55, another set of police officers was dispatched to the Maitland cemetery on Voortrekker Road in connection with an unrelated incident at 02:55.  

There, officers found the bodies of two men, who were fatally shot. Another two victims survived the shooting.  

“Two men, aged 35 and 36, were declared deceased on the scene, while two others, aged 31 and 32, were transported to a medical facility for treatment.” 

Traut noted that detectives suspect that this incident is gang-related. 

“Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder,” said Traut. 

No arrests have been made in either of the mentioned cases yet. 

“The South African Police Service in the Western Cape strongly condemns the senseless violence… [and] will relentlessly pursue those responsible with the full might of the law and remains committed to restoring safety in affected communities,” Traut said.

The Maitland Community Policing Forum declined to comment further, with deputy chairperson Leigh Anderson stating that “our position is that any enquiries are best handled by SAPS regarding these incidents”. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop or report anonymously via the MySAPS app. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced salary increases for public office bearers of between 3.8% and 4.1%, depending on the category of position they hold.

In a statement, the Presidency said this follows the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers’ recommendation of a 4.1% salary increment for all public office bearers, regardless of position.

But Ramaphosa says he first considered what impact the Commission’s recommendations would have on the fiscus before deciding to increase the salaries of public office-bearers by category.

The increase of 4.1% applies to judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and members of independent constitutional institutions.

The increase of 3.8% applies to Members of the National Executive, Members of Parliament, members of provincial executive councils and members of provincial legislatures.

This means the salary of Deputy President Paul Mashatile will rise to R3.2 million, while Ministers will earn R2.7 million, and Deputy Ministers R2.2 million.

These increases will take effect from 1 April 2026.

The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers is constitutionally mandated to make annual recommendations on the salaries, allowances and benefits of public office-bearers.

In doing so, the commission considers factors including affordability, inflation, state resources, public service pay levels, and the roles and responsibilities of those in office.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the diligence and integrity with which the Commission developed its recommendations.