At a Glance
- A minibus carrying students collided head-on with a truck near Vanderbijlpark, South Africa on Jan. 19, 2026
- 13 children died-11 at the scene and 2 later in hospital
- The crash happened around 7 a.m. while the private vehicle was transporting learners to schools southwest of Johannesburg
- Why it matters: The tragedy underscores ongoing safety concerns on scholar transport routes as the nation reopens schools
A school minibus crash has claimed the lives of 13 students after a violent collision with a truck outside Johannesburg, sending shockwaves through South Africa on the first major school week of 2026.
The Crash
The incident occurred Monday morning near Vanderbijlpark, roughly an hour south of Johannesburg. According to the Associated Press, the minibus was overtaking stationary vehicles when it slammed head-on into an oncoming truck.
Eleven learners died at the scene. Two more succumbed to injuries after being rushed to local hospitals, bringing the confirmed toll to 13.
Emergency crews transported five patients to Sebokeng Hospital and two others to Kopanong Hospital. The bus driver, also injured, was among those hospitalized.
The private minibus was shuttling children to various schools in the area. Police have opened an investigation and plan to question the truck driver.
Presidential Response
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the tragedy on X via The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, calling the timing especially distressing. His post noted that the South African Human Rights Commission had released a report on scholar transport in the North West the same day.
“The President’s thoughts are with the families, teachers, classmates and friends of the young victims,” the statement read.
Ramaphosa emphasized that “our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can-from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars-to protect learners.”
He pledged that national and provincial authorities will provide psychosocial support to affected families and schools.
Safety Warnings Ignored
Hours before the crash, the South African Police Service posted a Scholar Transport Safety report on Facebook urging vigilance as schools reopened.
“The SAPS urges parents, scholar transport drivers and motorists to put the safety of our children first,” the statement said. “Too many young lives are lost every year due to road accidents involving scholar transport. This can and must be prevented.”
The police bulletin listed multiple safety steps for parents and drivers, including checking vehicle roadworthiness, ensuring seatbelts are used, and obeying speed limits around schools.
Local Media Updates
SABC News, the news division of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, confirmed the rising death toll after initial reports cited 11 fatalities. The Presidency’s social media post initially echoed the lower figure but later updates reflected the two additional hospital deaths reported by the AP and SABC.
Authorities photographed at the scene showed a crumpled minibus and a damaged truck surrounded by debris on the roadside.
Key Takeaways
- The crash killed 13 students and injured several others near Vanderbijlpark
- The minibus driver was overtaking traffic when the vehicles collided
- Police investigations continue, with the truck driver set to be questioned
- President Ramaphosa vowed improved safety measures and support for grieving families
