12 Children, 1 Driver dies in fiery minibus crash on N12

GAUTENG – The SAPS Crime Scene Management including the Accident Unit responded to an accident which occurred this morning around 07:00 at Blyvoor Road, near the N12 highway in Wedela area.

Thirteen people have been killed in a crash involving a minibus taxi and a bakkie in Merafong. The pupils were involved in a crash while on their way to school on Wednesday morning. Seven other pupils sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital for medical attention.

The Department of Education in Gauteng says eleven of the victims were from Rocklands Primary School, and one pupil attended Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville. The crash came on the second day of the new term.

A department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says Education MEC Matome Chiloane will visit the crash scene and both schools on Wednesday afternoon.

“Earlier this morning, the department received a distressing report from officials indicating that a private scholar transport mini-bus was involved in a tragic accident in the Kokosi-Wedela area in Merafong, claiming the lives of the 12 learners and their driver”

It’s alleged that the learner transport was hit from behind by a bakkie, causing it to overturn and subsequently catch fire. This horrific accident is alleged to have occurred around 6:45. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this horrific incident.

At this stage we can confirm that 13 people, the minibus driver and 12 learners, have died and seven learners are in hospital as well as the driver of the bakkie. The learners were being transported to Rocklands and Blyvooruitzich Primary Schools in Blyvooruitzicht. The Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.