The Gauteng Department of Education has condemned the circulation of a fake AI-generated image on social media, falsely claiming to depict the victims of the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash.
The image, which has been widely shared online, shows 11 children alongside the message: “In loving memory of 13 learners who died in the taxi crash in Vanderbijlpark, Sebokeng.” Many users reposted it with messages of sympathy, unaware that it is not authentic.
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the image is fabricated.
“That is fake AI,” Mabona said.
He urged the public to act with sensitivity, stressing that families of the 12 learners who died are still in mourning. He added that the identity of one of the deceased pupils has not yet been confirmed.
“We have grieving families. The least we can do is support them and give them the respect they deserve during this time,” Mabona said.
Initial reports had placed the death toll at 13, but this was later revised to 12. Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus driver allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle and failed to see an oncoming truck, leading to a head-on collision. Both drivers survived the crash.
Police have since opened 12 counts of culpable homicide, and investigations are ongoing.
Authorities are appealing to the public to refrain from sharing unverified or misleading content, reminding users that misinformation in times of tragedy adds unnecessary pain and quite frankly, tragedy needs facts, not filters.