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Preliminary investigations into the devastating Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash have revealed that the driver of the minibus taxi involved did not hold a valid licence to operate the vehicle, the Gauteng provincial department of transport said on Tuesday.
Officials also indicated that the vehicle itself may not have been properly licensed to carry learners at the time of the collision.
The accident, which occurred on Monday morning on Fred Droste Road near Vanderbijlpark as learners were being transported to school, claimed the lives of 14 children, with several others injured and receiving treatment in hospital.
Gauteng Department of Transport spokesperson Lesiba Mpya cautioned that these details are preliminary and subject to ongoing verification as the South African Police Service continues its investigation. He confirmed the department is still awaiting further information from law enforcement before drawing definitive conclusions.
The revelation adds to growing concern among authorities and community leaders about compliance within the private scholar transport sector, where issues such as driver qualifications, vehicle roadworthiness and safety standards have repeatedly been highlighted.
Police have opened a culpable homicide investigation and are expected to question both the minibus and truck drivers once medically cleared.
Gauteng’s premier and education officials have expressed their condolences and called for heightened oversight to prevent similar tragedies, stressing that learner safety must be a priority.
