The GDE has begun providing psychosocial support to schools, learners and families affected by a scholar transport accident in the Vaal that claimed the lives of 12 learners on Monday morning, January 19.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, department spokesperson Steve Mabona said psychosocial support teams had already been dispatched to schools affected by the tragedy.

“We have started with the process of psycho support. The school has been taken through the process, and we have sent psycho-social support teams to all the affected schools,” Mabona said.

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He confirmed that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to brief the nation later on Tuesday on the latest developments following the incident.

The department said counselling services have been deployed to all affected schools, while the government continues to work closely with families to finalise identification processes and provide ongoing support. According to Mabona, priority is being given to learners and educators who were closest to the deceased.

“We normally identify those who were closer to the deceased, meaning the classmates and the teachers who taught these learners, and start with that process of psycho-social support. We then continue to monitor it,” he said.

Mabona clarified that 12 learners lost their lives in the crash, correcting earlier reports that indicated a higher number of fatalities. He confirmed that one of the deceased learners has not yet been formally identified.

He added that officials are working with families to complete the identification process.

Three learners remain in the hospital, with one having been airlifted to a private medical facility due to the severity of injuries. Another learner has since been discharged.

Mabona also confirmed that the driver of the scholar transport minibus taxi involved in the crash has been discharged from the hospital and handed over to the police. The driver is facing a charge of culpable homicide.

He said the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, will visit affected families as they complete processes at the government mortuary. A comprehensive briefing by the Premier and relevant MECs is scheduled for later in the afternoon.

Addressing public speculation and misinformation, Mabona appealed for respect at accident scenes and sensitivity towards grieving families.

“At an active scene, it is important to give authorities the space to carry out their work. Unconfirmed reports and speculation can cause confusion and unnecessary distress,” he said.

He also condemned the circulation of inaccurate and AI-generated content on social media, saying it deepens the pain experienced by families.

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“We have families that are grieving, yet false and misleading information is being shared. This is unacceptable,” Mabona said.

The department confirmed that the names and images of the deceased learners will only be released with the consent of their families.

The learners who died in the crash attended Vaal High School, Vaal Primary School, Suncrest High School, El-Shaddai Christian School, Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark and Oliver Lodge Primary School.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing.