Vanderbijlpark Community Gathers to Honour 14 Pupils Lost in Tragic Transport Crash

Published 23 Jan 2026 at 1:11 PM

by Mbalenhle Butale

3 min read

Families and the community are preparing to honour the young lives lost at a memorial service
Fourteen pupils tragically lost their lives in a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark, with twelve declared dead at the scene and two more succumbing to injuries in hospital
The driver of the vehicle remains in custody after abandoning his bail application yesterday

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Memorial — The Department of Education organised a memorial service to honour 14 pupils lost in Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport crash. Image: @EducationGP1
Source: Twitter

VANDERBIJLPARK- Families, friends, and the local community will gather today, 23 January 2026, to remember the 14 pupils who tragically lost their lives in the recent scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark.

Twelve pupils were declared dead at the scene on Monday, while others were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. Sadly, two more pupils succumbed to their injuries on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 14.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash remains in custody as authorities continue their investigation into the tragedy. Community members are expected to pay their respects and honour the young lives lost during the memorial service, which is set to get underway soon.

Community members speak

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, community members expressed their shock and grief.

"This accident has really devastated us. These were young people just beginning their lives. We are all wounded as a community," said one resident.

The member further called on the government to intervene in the scholar transport crisis, emphasising that many children across South Africa still rely on these transport services.

"As a parent who sends their children off to school in one of these vehicles, you ask yourself, will my child make it back home?" she said.

Briefly News spoke to a family in mourning.

Briefly News exclusively spoke to the families of two best friends, Sagwadi Mathe and Thato Mcira, who were excited for their final year of high school. The two died from injuries sustained in the R553 scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng. The families of the girls are grieving deeply and have spoken about their loss and the bright futures that were cut short. Ntswaki Mokoena, Thato's aunt, said she was a bubbly young lad who wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother, a member of the South African Defence Force (SANDF). Relatives expressed anger and blamed the driver’s reckless behaviour, saying he was overtaking dangerously and should be held accountable.

Articles on tributes to the learners

Previously, Briefly News reported that hundreds of residents in the Vaal region attended a candlelight vigil to mourn the 14 learners who died in the tragic scholar transport crash near Vanderbijlpark, lighting candles and offering prayers in solidarity with their families. The event became a space for collective grief and remembrance, with community members calling for greater road safety and accountability for those responsible. Attendees emphasised the profound impact of the accident on local families and the need to protect children who rely on scholar transport daily. The vigil highlighted ongoing sorrow and the community’s resolve to remember the young lives lost.

In other news, a Kaizer Chiefs supporter held up a placard at FNB Stadium at a match between Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows, to honour the 14 pupils who died in the Vaal scholar transport crash, drawing widespread emotional reactions from attendees and social media users. The tribute resonated with many South Africans, with fans emphasising that football can be a platform for solidarity and shared mourning. Meanwhile, national grief over the tragic accident continues as authorities investigate and the community processes the loss.