Twelve schoolchildren have died in a devastating crash near Vanderbijlpark, about 60km south of Johannesburg, after a minibus carrying pupils collided with a truck on Monday.

Police said the driver of the minibus appeared to lose control while trying to overtake other vehicles. The crash happened near the industrial city of Vanderbijlpark.

What Happened Near Vanderbijlpark

Provincial education minister Matome Chiloane told reporters at the scene that 11 pupils died on site, while a 12th child later died in hospital.

Chiloane said he did not yet know the ages of all the children involved, but confirmed the pupils included learners from both primary and high schools. Primary school pupils in South Africa are generally as young as six years old.

Social media images showed a mangled minibus on the roadside, with parents gathering behind police tape. Some were seen breaking down in tears when they were allowed to view the bodies.

Officials React to the Tragedy

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi described the scene as “terrible” after visiting the area.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns about road safety, with authorities repeatedly warning about speeding, reckless driving and vehicles that are not properly maintained.

South Africa’s Road Death Toll Remains High

The transport ministry’s latest data shows more than 11,400 lives were lost on South African roads in 2025.

Many families rely on privately operated minibuses to get children to and from school, especially in areas where parents cannot manage school runs themselves.

The fatal Vanderbijlpark school minibus crash follows other serious incidents involving pupil transport in recent months, highlighting the risks many learners face on the road each day.