The death toll from a scholar transport crash near Vanderbijlpark has risen to 14 after a learner died in hospital on Monday evening.

The crash took place early Monday morning, when a private minibus taxi collided with a truck.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus taxi was transporting learners to five different schools, including both primary and high schools.

At the time of the crash, the Toyota Quantum was overloaded, carrying 17 learners instead of the certified 14 occupants, according to police.

This was not the first time the driver had driven recklessly. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the driver had previously been reprimanded for reckless driving.

Eleven schoolchildren died at the scene, three other learners later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

According to an eyewitness who was overtaken by the scholar transport taxi, the driver overtook his vehicle and four other cars before colliding with the truck.

The minibus taxi driver is currently in hospital receiving medical treatment. Police have opened a case of culpable homicide.

INSIDE POLITICS

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