South African authorities are investigating a road accident that killed 13 schoolchildren and injured others on Monday morning, 19 January 2026, when a minibus carrying learners collided with a truck south of Johannesburg, officials said.

According to eNCA, the collision happened at about 7 a.m. on Fred Droste Road near Vanderbijlpark, a town in Gauteng province, as the minibus travelled along a busy commuter route used by many pupils on their way to school. Preliminary accounts from police and traffic officials indicate the minibus attempted to overtake other vehicles before it crashed head-on with an oncoming truck, which led to the catastrophic impact. 

Emergency responders arrived quickly and pronounced eleven pupils dead at the scene, while two others died later in the hospital, bringing the death toll to 13, police said in a statement. Three other children who survived the collision were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, officials confirmed.

Gauteng Education and Transport authorities have opened a culpable homicide investigation to determine the full circumstances of the crash. Police spokespersons said witnesses at the scene reported the minibus may have been attempting a risky overtaking manoeuvre when it collided with the truck, though investigations are ongoing to establish accountability.

The tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief across South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing deep sorrow over the deaths and extending condolences to families, teachers and the broader school communities affected by the loss. “Our children are the nation’s most precious assets,” the president said in a statement, urging greater efforts to enhance road safety and enforce transport standards. 

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube said school transport accidents often stem from driver error and called for stricter oversight of vehicles and operators entrusted with young learners’ safety. She added that measures must be taken to ensure scholar transport vehicles are maintained, compliant and supervised to prevent similar tragedies in future. 

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the crash scene to offer support to grieving families and to coordinate the response with emergency services. They described the day as “tragic” for the province and reiterated calls for improved transport safety oversight. 

The crash has drawn renewed attention to South Africa’s broader road safety record, with previous data showing that more than 11,400 lives were lost on the country’s roads in 2025, despite some improvement from the prior year. Officials and advocates say stronger enforcement of traffic rules, better driver training and regular vehicle inspections are essential to safeguarding the lives of learners nationwide.