SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) has this morning clarified the number of the deceased in the horrific accident that took place on the R553 in Vanderbijlpark yesterday morning (January 19).

Following the accident, reports said that 14 learners had died in the accident between a Toyota Quantum scholar transport taxi and a tipper lorry. The GDOH has dismissed what it said are unverified reports suggesting that the number of fatalities has risen to 14. The department said that the confirmed number of learners who tragically lost their lives and were collected from the scene remains at 12, as reported yesterday.

“While moments of crisis can often lead to speculation, the spread of unconfirmed figures and misinformation is causing unnecessary harm. Such inaccuracies fuel confusion at a sensitive time and divert attention from the critical work of supporting affected families and providing medical care to survivors,” a statement by the department said.

In a statement, MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, appealed to the public to rely on official government communication channels for accurate updates.

“As initially reported by the GDOH, seven survivors were transported by Gauteng Emergency Medical Services to Sebokeng Hospital and Kopanong Hospital. At Sebokeng Hospital, four learners and the minibus taxi driver were admitted and received necessary treatment. Kopanong Hospital tended to one learner and one adult, who is the assistant to the truck driver, for minor injuries, and both were discharged yesterday.”

The department said that as of 07:00 this morning, Sebokeng Hospital had three learners admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“One learner remains critically unstable, while the other two are in a critical but stable condition. The fourth learner was airlifted to a private hospital in Alberton last night for further specialised care. All the ICU patients are female, aged 10, 15, and 16, and the learner who was airlifted is a 17-year-old female. The taxi driver was also discharged yesterday and was immediately taken into custody by the South African Police Service.”

Furthermore, the department said, of the 12 learners who passed away, 11 bodies have already been identified by their families, with one awaiting verification. The Gauteng Forensic Pathology Service aims to finalise all autopsies by the close of business today (January 20) to enable families to continue with funeral preparations.

“Let us work together to protect the dignity of the victims and ensure accurate information reaches our communities. At a time when families are grieving, and communities are in shock, the spread of inaccurate figures causes unnecessary panic and deepens the trauma of those directly affected. We call on the public, community leaders, and media platforms to refrain from sharing unverified information. We commit to transparency and timely updates as soon as facts are verified,” appealed Nkomo-Ralehoko.