At least 13 schoolchildren were killed on Monday after a minibus transporting pupils to school collided with a truck south of Johannesburg, South African police have confirmed. The crash occurred near the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark, about 60 kilometres south of the country’s economic hub.
Police said the driver of the minibus appeared to have lost control while attempting to overtake other vehicles. The death toll rose to 13 after one of the injured children later succumbed to their injuries, according to the provincial education department. Several other pupils sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
Authorities said the victims were pupils from both primary and high schools. Disturbing images from the scene showed the minibus crushed on the roadside as grief-stricken parents gathered nearby, some collapsing in anguish when allowed to identify the bodies.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the crash as “a terrible scene,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a statement of condolence, called for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and improved oversight of school transport services to protect children, whom he described as “the nation’s most precious assets.”
The incident highlights ongoing road safety concerns in South Africa, where speeding, reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles contribute to frequent fatal accidents. Many families rely on private minibuses for school transportation due to limited public transit options.
South Africa has witnessed several similar tragedies in recent years. In September, five pupils were killed when a school minibus crashed into a crèche in KwaZulu-Natal, while in July 2024, 11 children died after a school minibus overturned and caught fire near Johannesburg.
According to the transport ministry, more than 11,400 people lost their lives on South African roads in 2025 alone, underscoring the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
