JOHANNESBURG - The driver of the minibus taxi which killed 12 pupils in Vanderbijlpark has been arrested.
The 22-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday after being discharged from the hospital.
He has been charged with 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.
Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that the man would appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court soon.
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The crash occurred on a narrow road near Vanderbijlpark, a route notorious for reckless truck driving.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus driver attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of him and did not notice an oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision.
While it was initially reported that 13 pupils had died, on Tuesday, the Gauteng Education revised the number to 12. Five injured pupils were rushed to hospital. One has since been discharged.
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Meanwhile, the driver of the truck that was involved in the accident escaped unharmed while a passenger who was with him sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.
Police investigations continue.