At least 13 schoolchildren have been killed after a minibus transporting pupils to school collided with a truck south of Johannesburg, South African police confirmed on Monday.
The crash occurred near Vanderbijlpark, an industrial town about 60 kilometres from the country’s commercial capital.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the minibus driver lost control while attempting to overtake other vehicles on the road.
The impact caused severe damage to the vehicle, leaving several pupils trapped inside.
Initial reports confirmed 12 fatalities, but the number rose to 13 after one critically injured pupil later died in hospital.
Several other children sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
Authorities said the victims included children from both primary and secondary schools.
The exact ages of the pupils were not immediately released.
Images from the scene showed the wrecked minibus on the roadside as distraught parents gathered nearby.
Some parents reportedly broke down in tears when allowed to identify the victims.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the scene as horrific and heartbreaking.
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for stricter enforcement of road safety laws and improved regulation of school transport services.
Many South African families depend on privately operated minibuses due to limited public transport options.
Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns about vehicle safety and driver behaviour in the sector.
The crash adds to a growing list of deadly road accidents involving schoolchildren in South Africa.
More than 11,400 people lost their lives on the country’s roads in 2025, according to official figures.
Government officials and safety advocates have renewed calls for better enforcement of traffic laws.
They stress that protecting schoolchildren must remain a national priority.
