Sebokeng community gathers for memorial of 14 pupils killed in minibus taxi crash

Friends and families of the 14 pupils who lost their lives in a tragic scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark gathered in Sebokeng for a joint memorial service on Friday.

Police said the minibus taxi the pupils were travelling in earlier this week collided with a side-tipper truck after the driver allegedly attempted to overtake multiple vehicles.

The driver has since been arrested and made his first appearance before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing 14 counts of murder, among other charges.

On Monday, 12 pupils were declared dead at the scene of the crash.

Five others were rushed to hospital, with two later succumbing to their injuries, pushing the death toll to 14.

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With support from the Gauteng Education Department, families came together to remember the young lives lost, marking a moment of collective grief for a community still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

Several senior provincial officials attended the memorial to offer condolences and pay their respects to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, police said investigations into the crash are continuing, with the possibility of further arrests not ruled out.