Vanderbijlpark crash: Taxi driver held over 12 pupil deaths

Police in Gauteng have arrested the 22-year-old driver of a minibus taxi used for scholar transport after a crash near Vanderbijlpark that left 12 pupils dead. The man was taken into custody on Tuesday after being discharged from hospital as reported by eNCA.

He is facing 12 counts of culpable homicide, as well as charges linked to reckless and negligent driving. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the driver is expected to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court soon.

The collision happened on a narrow road close to Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, involving the minibus taxi and a truck. Preliminary information from investigators indicates the taxi driver attempted to overtake another vehicle and then collided head-on with an oncoming truck.

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Initial reports placed the death toll at 13, but the Gauteng education authorities later revised the figure to 12. Five pupils were taken to hospital, and one has since been discharged.

The truck driver was not injured, while a passenger travelling in the truck sustained injuries and was taken to hospital. Police said investigations into the crash are continuing.

Source: eNCA