MEDIA RELEASE
2026-01-22

SUMMARY: The Labour Party of South Africa (Labour Party) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of thirteen learners in a school transport accident in Vanderbijlpark on 19 January 2026. The Party attributes the tragedy to government negligence, unregulated scholar transport, reckless driving, and systemic failures in road safety and infrastructure.

The Labour Party of South Africa (Labour Party) is devastated by the tragic loss of thirteen (13) young lives in a horrific school transport accident in Vanderbijlpark, Sedibeng district of Gauteng, on 19 January 2026.

The pupils who perished in the collision between a minibus and a side-tipper truck were learners from both private and public schools across the Sedibeng district of Gauteng region.

“The lives of these young people were cut short due to the negligence of a careless and non-responsive government. This is not the first time we have witnessed such a tragedy claiming the lives of children, yet unregulated and unsafe scholar transport continues to operate on our roads”, said Joseph Mathunjwa, Interim President of the Labour Party.

Over the past five (5) years, communities across South Africa have been forced to mourn far too many young lives lost as a result of reckless driving and systemic failures in road safety enforcement.

Statistics South Africa paints a heartbreaking picture, revealing that more than 800 schoolchildren died in scholar transport-related accidents between 2018 and 2022.

More recently, in October 2025, a Grade R learner from Ga-Molepo village in Limpopo was killed after being struck by a school bus.“There is a deeply entrenched culture of reckless and negligent driving among road users, particularly within public transport. However, this culture is sustained and perpetuated by an inactive and negligent government”, said Mathunjwa.

Mathunjwa further cited preventable infrastructure failures as a contributing factor, referencing the Merafong Municipality, where the unmarked culvert on Wadela Road led to the avoidable death of Mr Anele Mnqayi in July last year.

“This tragedy, like many others—both reported and unreported—must serve as a wake-up call, especially to the authorities responsible for ensuring road safety, vehicle roadworthiness, the regulation of scholar transport, and proper road marking and maintenance” , Mathunjwa added.

“So long as government continues to prioritise private business interests over public safety, South Africans—particularly the working class—will continue to suffer” , marked Mathunjwa.

“It is for this reason that the Labour Party calls for and insists that school transportation must be provided, managed, and maintained by the state. This will ensure enforceable safety standards, reduce the prevalence of unroadworthy and overloaded vehicles, and create a clear and accountable system of responsibility”, he explained.

The Labour Party affirms that the principles of equity, equality, and access must be reflected in a state-provided transport system. Working-class and rural families are often forced to rely on unsafe and unreliable alternatives due to the absence of viable public options. A state-run school transport system is not a luxury—it is a necessity to protect the lives of South Africa’s children.

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please send a request to media@labourparty.org.za.

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