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.