ATTENTION: All Media / News Editors
DATE: 20 January 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANAC CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM CHILDREN’S SECTOR CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FOLLOWING THE TRAGIC LOSS OF 12 CHILDREN IN SCHOLAR TRANSPORT ACCIDENT
The Children’s Sector expresses its deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, and communities affected by the tragic scholar transport accident that occurred in Vanderbijlpark on Monday, 19 January 2026, which claimed the lives of 12 children who were on their way to school. The Sector is deeply saddened and outraged by the fatal car accident which could have been prevented.
Innocent children, carrying nothing but hope and trust, placed their lives in the hands of adults. They got into the mini-bus taxi with confidence trusting that their driver would transport them safely to school and back. The trust parents have with drivers transporting their children to school has been betrayed. Road accidents are not intentional events; however, negligent and reckless driving behaviours make it increasingly difficult for communities and families to come to terms with, or forgive, the perpetrators of such devastating incidents.
Once again, adults entrusted with the full responsibility of protecting children are perpetually failing them. This devastating incident is not merely an accident; it is rather a painful reminder of systemic neglect, weak accountability, and ongoing failures within structures meant to protect children.
As the Children Sector, we demand urgent accountability from the following bodies and institutions:
- Scholar Transport Associations
We call on Scholar Transport Associations to account for how a negligent driver was allowed to operate within their system while transporting innocent young lives. Children are not cargo. Any form of negligence within scholar transport systems amounts to a direct violation of children’s right to safety. Any driver transporting children should be vetted like any other practitioners that interacts with children on a daily basis.
- Department of Education
We call on the Department of Education to urgently address the chronic shortage of schools providing quality education within communities. For how long will children be forced to travel long distances to access basic education? These long commutes expose children to unnecessary and avoidable risks. Access to quality education must not come at the cost of children’s lives.
- Government
We hold government accountable for neglecting to properly regulate the scholar transport system. The continued operation of scholar transport without strict enforcement, oversight, and safety standards is unacceptable. Simple but critical questions remain unanswered: Why was the vehicle overloaded? Was the driver cleared to transport children?
This tragedy reflects a broader failure of governance, regulation, and collective responsibility. As adults, leaders, institutions, and as a society, we must acknowledge that we have fallen short in our duty to protect children.
The Children Sector calls for:
- A full, transparent, and expediated investigation into this incident
- Immediate enforcement of scholar transport safety regulations
- Accountability for all parties responsible
- Institute the vetting of all drivers involved in commuting children, this must be done with immediate effect.
- Concrete coordinated interventions to prevent any further loss of children’s lives.
Children have the right to travel to school safely. They deserve protection, dignity, and care at all times. Anything less constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights.
Enough is Enough!
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
- Mr Oupa Shumeni
National Chairperson, SANAC Civil Society Forum Children’s Sector
Tel: 063 102 3453
Email: oupashumeni@yahoo.com - Ms Nokuthula Heath
National Secretary General, SANAC Civil Society Forum Children’s Sector
Tel: 063 691 450
Email: nokuthula@zoe-life.co.za