JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Education has slammed online users sharing a fake AI image purported to be of the victims of the Vanderbijlpark crash.
The image, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows 11 children with the message: “In loving memory of 13 learners who died in the taxi crash in Vanderbijlpark, Sebokeng.”
Many social media users have been sharing it with messages of sympathy.
But Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the image was not real.
“That is fake AI,” Mabona said.
Mabona cautioned for sensitivity as families of the 12 pupils were still mourning. The identity of one pupil who died in the crash has not yet been confirmed.
"We have grieving families the least we can do is support the families and give then respect they deserve during this time," he lamented.
While it was initially reported that 13 pupils had died, the number was revised to 12 on Tuesday.
READ | Death toll in Vaal scholar transport crash revised to 12
Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus driver allegedly overtook a vehicle in front of him and did not notice an oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision.
Both drivers are alive.
Police have since opened 12 counts of culpable homicide as investigations continue.