Family of Vaal crash victims breaks its silence

‘Justice will never be enough’: Family of Vaal crash victims breaks its silence

Mapaballo Borotho

• Two siblings aged 7 and 18 are among the 12 learners killed in the Vaal scholar transport crash.
• The vehicle was overloaded, and the driver is facing culpable homicide and reckless driving charges.
• The tragedy raises renewed concerns about accountability, road safety, and scholar transport regulation.

The family that lost two children in the tragic Vaal scholar transport accident says no form of justice will ever be adequate in the face of such a devastating loss, as nothing can bring their children back.

This comes after police confirmed that the driver of the scholar transport has been discharged from the hospital and remains in police custody. He is expected to appear in court this week, facing charges of culpable homicide as well as reckless and negligent driving.

Lesego Sefatsa (7) and Phehello Motaung (18) are among the 12 pupils who died when a scholar transport collided with a truck while ferrying children to school in the early hours of Monday morning in Vanderbijlpark.

The bereaved family has called for divine intervention, urging parents to always pray for their children every morning before they leave for school, citing that life is fragile and unpredictable.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane have since visited families affected by the tragedy to offer condolences and support.

Meanwhile, three learners who were also involved in the crash remain in intensive care, fighting for their lives.

Authorities revealed that the vehicle was overloaded, carrying 18 people, including the driver, despite being licensed as a 13-seater. 

The driver allegedly attempted to overtake several vehicles moments before the collision.

OPINION |The tragedy is irreversible

It is true that in tragedies of this nature, no amount of justice can ever be enough. Loss on this scale is irreversible.

This tragedy echoes the horrific 2024 Carletonville crash, where 11 learners and a scholar transport driver lost their lives after their minibus overturned and burst into flames following a collision with an overtaking vehicle.

At the time, authorities promised stricter bylaws and tighter regulation of scholar transport services. Yet, once again, lives have been lost.

This incident highlights a deep lack of accountability and responsibility in society. The scholar transport driver in this case is reportedly 22 years old, meaning he likely has no more than four years of legal driving experience. 

Serious questions have been raised about whether he was authorised to transport learners and whether he held the required permit to carry more than 12 passengers.

Driving a fully loaded vehicle, especially one carrying children, requires a completely different level of skill, responsibility, and caution.

It is devastating that 12 young lives had to be lost for some to remember that road rules exist for a reason.

Just days ago, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed that human factors such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol remain the leading causes of fatal crashes in South Africa, a sobering reality considering how often these dangers are discussed yet ignored.