What families were forced to witness after 12 learners died

GRIEF has turned into anger in Vanderbijlpark after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that the 22-year-old driver involved in the crash that killed 12 learners was operating without a valid Professional Driving Permit, which had expired in November 2025.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

As Lesufi visited bereaved families yesterday, raw pain spilled over into frustration, with one family calling on the government to show greater compassion after relatives were left waiting for hours at the crash scene, carrying the weight of unimaginable loss while officials were granted access before them.

The tragedy occurred on Monday morning on the R553 behind ArcelorMittal, where a minibus taxi transporting learners collided head-on with a side-tipper truck, claiming the lives of 12 learners. Several others were injured and rushed to hospital.

The family of six-year-old Ofentse Jaden Vinger who attended grade 1 at Oliver Lodge Primary School said their grief is compounded by the painful knowledge that his death was preventable.