13 Schoolchildren Killed in Minibus-Truck Collision During Overtaking Attempt

Thirteen schoolchildren were killed after a minibus transporting them to school collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark, about 60 kilometres south of Johannesburg, on Monday. Several other pupils were injured, authorities said.

Police indicated the minibus driver appeared to lose control while attempting to overtake other vehicles. The provincial education department confirmed the death toll rose after one child succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Provincial Education Minister Matome Chiloane said the victims were from both primary and high schools. Images circulating on social media showed the wrecked minibus along the roadside, with parents visibly distressed at the scene.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the situation as “a terrible scene.” President Cyril Ramaphosa extended condolences and urged stricter enforcement of road safety rules and higher standards for school transport, calling learners “the nation’s most precious assets.”

Many South African families rely on private minibuses to transport children due to limited public transport options. Road accidents involving school transport are frequent: in September 2025, five students were killed in a minibus crash in KwaZulu-Natal, and in July 2024, 11 children died when a minibus overturned near Johannesburg.

According to the Transport Ministry, more than 11,400 people lost their lives on South African roads in 2025.