The families and friends of the 14 pupils who died in the scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark will be remembered at a memorial service in Sebokeng on Friday.
The memorial will be held at the Sebokeng Hall, ahead of a joint funeral service on Sunday at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng.
Accident
Fourteen young children tragically died in the head-on scholar transport crash with a truck on the R553 Golden Highway in Vanderbijlpark on Monday.
Their minibus collided with a side-tipper truck after the driver allegedly attempted to overtake multiple vehicles.
Twelve pupils died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
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Driver
The 22-year-old driver, Ayanda Dludla, who appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court on Thursday, has been charged with 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, one count of driving without a valid Professional Driving Permit, and one count of driving an unlicensed motor vehicle.
The case has been postponed to 5 March 2026.
Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department honours the lives of these young learners who died in the incident:
Leaners who passed away
- Thato Moetji – Grade 12 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
- Sagwadi Mathe – Grade 12 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
- Buhle Radebe – Grade 11 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
- Bokamoso Mokhobo – Grade 8 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
- Sibongile Madonsela – Grade 10 – Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark
- Leano Moiloa – Grade 8 – Vaal High School
- Lesego Sefatsa – Grade 2 – Oakwood Primary School
- Letlotlo Katlego Makwe – Grade 2 – Vaal Triangle Primary School
- Ofentse Jayden Vinger – Grade 1 – Oliver Lodge Primary School
- Lindokuhle Mabaso – Grade 5 – Noordhoek Primary School
- Pheello Motaung – Grade 11 – El-Shaddai Christian School
- Puleng Maphalla – Grade 11 – El-Shaddai Christian School
- Naledi Motsapi – Grade 10 – El-Shaddai Christian School
- Bohlale Lekekela – Grade 1 – El-Shaddai Christian School
“As a province, and as a nation, we are deeply disheartened by their loss. Their memory will forever live in our hearts as a solemn and enduring reminder of the promise and hope they carried for their families, schools, and communities,” May your souls rest in peace,” Mabona said.
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