Taxi Driver Had Previous Reckless Driving Case a Week Before Fatal Crash – Video
Taxi Driver Had Previous Reckless Driving Case a Week Before Fatal Crash MEC Says Driver Was Reprimanded for Reckless Driving a Week Before Fatal Crash.
Gauteng Education Member of the Executive Committee (MEC), Matome Chiloane, provided an update about the fatal crash
The MEC discussed the driver of the minibus taxi and the need for greater vigilance regarding scholar transport vehicles South Africans expressed frustration at the accident, with some questioning the MEC’s comments about the driver involved
That’s according to Gauteng Education Member of the Executive Committee (MEC), Matome Chiloane, who was speaking from the scene of the fatal crash. Thirteen children lost their lives in the accident, which happened on Golden Highway between Bophelong and Sebokeng on 17 January 2026. 12 learners were declared dead at the scene, while another learner succumbed to their injuries later.
MEC says the driver was reprimanded before
Speaking from the scene of the tragedy, MEC Chiloane said communication was important for all stakeholders, so that if there was a problem, it needed to be reflected clearly so it could be mitigated.
He noted that the driver of the minibus taxi in this instance was reprimanded a week ago for reckless driving. Chiloane said that seemingly no action was taken against him, and now the country was dealing with this tragedy. The driver survived the crash and is reportedly in the hospital. An eyewitness said that the driver was reckless and overtook his vehicle and four others before colliding with the truck
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane explains the scholar transport driver involved in the fatal crash of 13 pupils was reprimanded for his reckless driving last week. MP#KayaNews pic.twitter.com/VjQwhRa55G
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) January 19, 2026
During an eNCA interview, he also said that it needed to get to a point where every person who transports learners was registered, whether it was private or public transport. He also stated that the education department needed to ensure learners were enrolled at schools closer to them, to cut out the need to travel long distances.
