Grief and anger linger as Vaal families prepare to honour 14 pupils killed in crash

The community of Vanderbijlpark is bracing for a day of mourning and remembrance this Friday as families prepare to honour 14 young pupils killed in a shocking scholar transport crash earlier this week. The tragedy, which has sent ripples across Gauteng, has left grief, anger, and calls for stricter safety measures in its wake.

Memorial service to honour the victims

The memorial service will take place at 11am at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground Hall in Sebokeng, with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and members of the provincial executive council expected to attend. Families, friends, and members of the public will gather to pay their respects and mourn the lives lost far too early.

“This is a day to remember our children and reflect on the devastating loss,” Lesufi said in a statement, urging the private scholar transport industry to adopt stricter safety protocols.

The crash and its aftermath

The crash occurred on Monday, January 19, involving a private scholar transport minibus and a truck. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the scale of the tragedy was immediately apparent. Two more learners succumbed to injuries in the following days, bringing the total fatalities to 14, with several others left critically injured.

Gauteng Education Transport Services (GETS) confirmed that the minibus was operating under its association and that the driver, 22-year-old Ayanda Dludla, had a history of complaints regarding reckless driving. Dludla faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. He made his first court appearance on Thursday outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court and has abandoned his bail application. He is expected back in court on March 5.

Personal stories of loss

For families, the numbers are more than statisticsthey are the children they loved. Motiki Maphalla, grandfather of 17-year-old Puleng Maphalla, described his granddaughter as a humble, devoted churchgoer. “She was a child we could easily associate with. My heart is breaking,” he said, recalling the morning she left home for school for the last time.

“She woke up around 5am, bathed, and prepared for school. Her father was upset because the taxi was five minutes late. Soon after, the taxi arrived, and she left. That was the last time we saw her alive,” Maphalla said, his voice heavy with grief.

The family did not attend the driver’s court appearance, citing the emotional toll and their focus on funeral arrangements. “It would raise emotions. We are still angry about what happened, so it is better to keep to ourselves,” he said.

Calls for accountability

The crash has reignited concerns over safety in the private scholar transport sector. GETS and Gauteng authorities have confirmed they will investigate Dludla’s driving record and operational oversight of the minibus company. Families and the wider community are demanding stricter enforcement of licensing, training, and safety standards to prevent another tragedy.

“This should never have happened. Parents entrust these companies with their children’s lives,” said a local community leader who wished to remain anonymous. Social media in Gauteng has been awash with condolences, anger, and calls for justice, as residents express frustration over preventable risks in scholar transport services.

Mass funeral plans

The community is preparing for a mass funeral on Sunday, January 25, at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground, where families will come together to lay the children to rest. Authorities have pledged support for the grieving families and encouraged a collaborative effort to improve transport safety in the province.

As Sebokeng mourns, the tragedy remains a stark reminder of the fragile balance between public safety and private operations. Families hope that honoring their children will not only provide solace but also spur meaningful changes that prevent such devastating incidents in the future.

{Source: IOL}

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