At least thirteen schoolchildren have been killed in a tragic road accident south of Johannesburg after a minibus transporting pupils to school collided with a truck near the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark.

Police said the crash occurred about 60 kilometres from Johannesburg when the minibus attempted to overtake other vehicles and lost control, leading to the fatal collision. The death toll rose after one critically injured child later died in hospital, while several others remain in serious condition.

Authorities confirmed that both primary and secondary school learners were among the victims, with some as young as six years old.

Distressing scenes unfolded at the crash site as grieving parents gathered behind police cordons. Some reportedly collapsed after being allowed to identify the bodies of their children.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who visited the scene, described the incident as heartbreaking.

“What we saw here today is devastating. No parent should ever have to identify the body of their child under such circumstances,” Lesufi said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also reacted to the tragedy, calling for tougher enforcement of road safety regulations and stricter oversight of school transport services.

“We must strengthen the enforcement of road safety laws and ensure that vehicles transporting our children are properly monitored and held to the highest safety standards,” the president said.

The crash has once again drawn attention to South Africa’s persistent road safety challenges. Despite a relatively developed road network, issues such as speeding, reckless driving and poorly maintained vehicles remain widespread. Many families continue to rely on privately operated minibuses due to limited public transport options.

The tragedy follows a series of deadly school transport accidents in recent months. Official figures indicate that more than 11,400 people lost their lives on South African roads in 2025, underscoring growing calls for urgent and comprehensive safety reforms.