Police have arrested the driver of a scholar transport vehicle following a deadly crash that claimed the lives of twelve learners in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg.
The 22-year-old driver was taken into custody after being discharged from hospital, where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the accident on Monday, 19 January 2026.
Police say he is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court within 48 hours.
“The driver faces twelve counts of culpable homicide, as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving. Police say they visited hospitals and the local mortuary to verify the number of fatalities and injuries. It has now been confirmed that twelve learners died at the scene, while five others were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. One of the injured learners has since been discharged,” Mavela Masondo Gauteng Police Spokesperson said in a statement.
The driver of the truck involved in the collision escaped unharmed, while the truck’s passenger sustained injuries and remains in hospital.
Police investigations are continuing, with officers still obtaining witness statements as part of the probe into the cause of the crash.
