Penny Lebyane Drags Social Media Users Over Viral Photos Of Grieving Vaal Mom

Mzansi is still reeling after a heartbreaking accident in the Vaal that claimed the lives of 14 schoolchildren, and emotions remain raw across the country. But while families in Vanderbijlpark were mourning unimaginable loss, some social media users chose to circulate distressing images from the scene — and Penny Lebyane is not having it.

The South African media personality took a firm stand against the sharing of photos showing a devastated mother who had just lost her children, calling out what she described as a complete lack of humanity online.

Penny Lebyane Condemns Sharing of Vaal Accident Images

The tragic crash happened on Monday, 19 January 2026, when a minibus taxi transporting school pupils collided with a truck. As news spread, scenes of grief unfolded at the accident site, with parents rushing to identify their children.

One particular image — showing a woman in a red dress, crying uncontrollably after seeing her child’s body — began circulating widely on social media. According to reports, the mother had lost two children in the crash.

Taking to X later that evening, the former Radio 2000 host did not mince her words.

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“Why are the pictures of a mother who lost her two children being paraded here on this platform. Nxa aaag maan. Leave her alone,” Penny Lebyane wrote.

She urged users to stop sharing the images and to give the grieving woman the space and dignity she deserves during one of the darkest moments of her life.

Mzansi Reacts: ‘Clicks Over Humanity?’

Many South Africans echoed Penny’s frustration, agreeing that the line between news and exploitation has been crossed — especially in the race for clicks, likes and engagement.

Here’s what some social media users had to say:

@LawOfAt27180945: “If this story dies and we don’t see the impact it caused on families, it’s easy for dockets to dissappear like the Nomhle story nobody talks about; we just move on.”

@RealNunuza2025: “Thank the media houses for that one, the ‘money’ shot.”

@ThabisoMat99590: “People are pushing their agendas. People are shamelessly using this sad event to hate on foreigners.”

@Fifi_Kumalo: “Why is there an AI-generated poster with images of the deceased before GDE sends out a circular notice? We have a comms crisis in this country.”

@WayShembe: “Imagine people want likes while a mother is at her lowest.”

@iAmyoLeader2: “I really don’t understand my sister, why people do this.”

@tarrrayM: “News channels have been doing the same since the accident.”

@proletarat52439: “Social media has its disadvantages.”

@GailAllan15: “Clicks for likes and absolutely devoid of humanity. People are creating content ka the lives of others, so stupid.”

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