Eyewitness Describes Fatal Vaal Minibus Taxi Accident Involving Schoolchildren

Published 19 Jan 2026 at 12:54 PM

by Justin Williams

3 min read

An eyewitness reported that reckless overtaking led to the collision between the truck and the minibus taxi
The minibus taxi was transporting children to school in the Vaal area when it was involved in the fatal accident
Thirteen pupils lost their lives in this tragic accident on Monday, 19 January 2026

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Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

An eyewitness recalled the moments before the accident — 11 Pupils were killed in the horrific crash between a taxi and a truck. Image: InsidePoliticSA/X
Source: Twitter

GAUTENG - An eyewitness said he saw the moments leading up to the collision between a truck and a scholar transport vehicle that claimed the lives of 13 pupils. The accident occurred near Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal on Monday morning, 19 January 2026.

Eyewitness recounts horrific accident

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, the eyewitness said the scholar transport, a minibus taxi, had overtaken his vehicle and about four other cars. He said he had initially tried to reduce his speed to avoid the accident and to give the taxi driver some space.

13 Counts of culpable homicide

Police have opened 13 counts of culpable homicide following a deadly school transport crash in Vanderbijlpark. Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said additional charges were expected to be added as investigations continue. She confirmed that the initial death toll of 11 later rose to 13.

Masondo also stated that the scholar transport vehicle had been overloaded, carrying 18 people instead of the 14 it is certified to carry, and that investigations into the incident were ongoing. She added that all information remained preliminary. The Gauteng Department of Education expressed its deepest condolences to the affected families, learners, and school communities during this extremely difficult time.

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their opinions regarding the accident.

@Jikingqina said:

"This is very sad to hear. Oh, those are young kids."

@lulushezi said:

"The tendency of taxis to drive directly into oncoming traffic is extremely dangerous, yet it happens all over the country, literally every morning. I hope they now see what this leads to."

@Magoshi7 said:

"The taxi industry should be scrapped, as it is the main cause of road accidents, and they also obstruct traffic flow."

@MariaMotlalile said:

"Most taxi drivers don't obey the rules. They are always in a hurry, and nobody in government is making sure all these taxis are obeying the rules."

@Nqobani769175 said:

"I picked one of the relatives today on her way to Vaal, yooh I wonder how she is now."

Fatal R33 collision involving taxi leaves two dead

In another article, Briefly News reported that a horrific vehicle accident between a minibus taxi and a light vehicle left two people dead and eight others injured.