South African officials have confirmed the devastating death toll from Monday’s catastrophic school bus collision stands at twelve children, with authorities subsequently arresting the driver on serious criminal charges. The privately-operated minibus, which was transporting students to various educational institutions south of Johannesburg, collided head-on with a truck during the morning commute.
Gauteng Province Premier Panyaza Lesufi, alongside health department representatives, provided updated casualty figures clarifying that all twelve fatalities occurred at the accident scene, contradicting earlier reports of a thirteenth victim succumbing to injuries at medical facilities. The deceased included nine girls and three boys, while five additional children, the bus driver, and a truck passenger required hospitalization for their injuries.
Law enforcement authorities took the 22-year-old driver into custody following his medical discharge, filing charges encompassing twelve counts of culpable homicide—a legal equivalent to manslaughter—plus accusations of reckless and negligent operation. Preliminary investigations based on witness accounts indicate the minibus was attempting to overtake other vehicles immediately before the catastrophic collision.
Further compounding the tragedy, Premier Lesufi revealed the driver’s operating permit for the minibus had expired prior to the incident. The accident occurred during the first week of resumed academic activities following South Africa’s year-end holidays, highlighting persistent concerns regarding student transportation safety standards.
Child Safe, a prominent advocacy organization, had earlier this month urgently cautioned parents to exercise heightened vigilance when selecting privately-operated school transport services, specifically warning against poorly maintained vehicles and unlicensed operators—issues tragically manifested in this week’s devastating collision.