A devastating road accident south of Johannesburg has claimed the lives of thirteen schoolchildren, renewing urgent concerns over road safety and the transport of learners in South Africa.
Police confirmed that a minibus ferrying pupils to school collided with a truck near the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark, approximately 60 kilometres from Johannesburg. Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus driver lost control while attempting to overtake other vehicles.
The death toll rose after one critically injured child succumbed to injuries in hospital. Several other pupils remain in serious condition. Authorities said the victims included both primary and high school learners, with some as young as six years old.
Scenes at the crash site were harrowing. Images showed the minibus severely crushed on the roadside as distraught parents gathered behind police cordons. Some collapsed in grief after being allowed to identify the bodies of their children. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the scene as “devastating,” extending condolences to the affected families.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger enforcement of road safety regulations and improved oversight of school transport services, stressing the need to better protect learners during their daily commute.
The tragedy has once again highlighted South Africa’s persistent road safety crisis. Despite having a relatively modern road network, the country continues to grapple with speeding, reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles. Many parents rely on private minibuses to transport their children to school due to limited and unreliable public transport options.
This crash follows a series of deadly school transport accidents reported in recent months. Official statistics show that more than 11,400 people lost their lives on South African roads in 2025, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive measures to improve road safety and prevent further loss of life.
