Gauteng Department of Community Safety Extends Condolences Following Fatal Learner Transport Crash

The Gauteng Department of Community Safety extends its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, schools, and communities affected by the tragic road crash involving a learner transport vehicle on the R553 Golden Highway near Vanderbijlpark on Monday, 19 January 2026.

The Department is deeply saddened by the loss of thirteen (13) learners, twelve (12) of whom died at the scene, with one learner succumbing to injuries in hospital. This devastating incident has left the province in grief and has deeply affected families across Sedibeng.

The preliminary reports indicate that the crash occurred at approximately 06:50 on the R553 Golden Highway, behind the ArcelorMittal facility, involving a minibus taxi transporting school learners from Sebokeng to Vanderbijlpark and an articulated truck travelling in the opposite direction.

At the time of the crash, the minibus was reportedly transporting seventeen (17) learners. In addition to the fatalities, three learners sustained critical…