At least thirteen schoolchildren have been killed in a devastating road crash south of Johannesburg, after a minibus transporting pupils to school collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark, police confirmed.
Authorities said the minibus was carrying learners from both primary and high schools when the collision occurred on a busy roadway close to the industrial town, about 60 kilometres from Johannesburg. Investigators believe the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake other traffic.
The death toll rose after one critically injured child later died in hospital. Several other pupils remain in serious condition, according to emergency services. Some of the victims were as young as six years old.
Images from the scene showed the minibus badly crushed on the roadside as distraught parents gathered behind police cordons. Witnesses described scenes of anguish as families were allowed to identify the bodies.
Panyaza Lesufi, who visited the crash site, described the incident as devastating and said the province was providing psychological support to affected families.
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and stronger oversight of school transport services, saying more must be done to protect children on their daily journeys to school.
The tragedy has once again thrown a spotlight on South Africa’s persistent road safety crisis. Despite having a relatively modern road network, the country continues to struggle with speeding, reckless driving and poorly maintained vehicles. Many families rely on private minibuses to transport children because of limited public transport options.
The crash follows a series of deadly school transport accidents reported in recent months. Official data show that more than 11,400 people lost their lives on South African roads in 2025, underscoring growing calls for urgent reforms to improve safety.
