A red Toyota Hi-Ace minibus taxi collided with two other vehicles at a busy intersection in Midrand on Tuesday afternoon, 22 September 2026, resulting in five deaths and multiple injuries after the taxi and one of the other vehicles caught fire.
The incident occurred at approximately 17:00 at the intersection of Old Pretoria Main Road and Maxwell Drive in the Waterfall area of Midrand, north of Johannesburg. According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the red Toyota Hi-Ace minibus taxi was travelling northbound along Old Pretoria Main Road when its driver allegedly failed to stop at a red traffic signal. The taxi then collided with a black Mercedes-Benz G63 and a silver Mercedes-Benz C-Class that were both travelling eastbound along Maxwell Drive.
Following the impact, the Toyota Hi-Ace and the silver Mercedes-Benz C-Class caught fire. Some initial reports from the scene also indicated that the minibus taxi overturned after the collision before the fire started.
Five passengers in the minibus taxi — two males and three females — sustained fatal injuries. Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition and were transported to the Hillbrow Mortuary. The adult male driver of the taxi sustained serious injuries and was taken to Tembisa Hospital. A further 10 passengers from the taxi sustained injuries ranging from slight to serious and were transported to various hospitals for medical treatment.
The adult male driver of the black Mercedes-Benz G63 was uninjured. The adult female driver of the silver Mercedes-Benz C-Class and two minor passengers travelling with her also escaped without injury.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed the details in official statements. Law enforcement personnel and emergency services attended the scene. The intersection was closed in all directions while responders worked, leading to major traffic delays in the Midrand and Waterfall areas during the afternoon peak period. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes, including the N1 freeway via Allandale Road, the R55, and diversions via Allandale Road or Le Roux Avenue.
A case of culpable homicide was opened for investigation by Midrand SAPS. The taxi driver is expected to appear in the Midrand Magistrates Court. The full circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
Five Dead, Ten Injured After Red Minibus Taxi Runs Red Light and Catches Fire in Midrand Collision pic.twitter.com/ruiTBpSci9
— PrimeTime News (@PrimeTimeNewsZA) October 2, 2026
The minibus taxi was reported to have been travelling on a route from Alexandra towards Ivory Park at the time of the incident. Videos showing the aftermath of the collision and the fire circulated widely shortly after the event.
Brits man sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping two teenagers and demanding R110 million
A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the kidnapping and extortion of two teenagers in Brits, North West, in March 2024.
Boitumelo Bradly Bogatsu appeared in the Pretoria High Court, where he was sentenced on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of extortion and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
The court imposed 15 years’ imprisonment for each kidnapping charge, 10 years for each extortion charge and five years for unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment.
Teenagers kidnapped on their way to school
The incident happened on 6 March 2024 when the two teenagers, a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy, were travelling from their home in Brits towards a school in Hartbeespoort.
The teenagers were intercepted near Central Combined School in Brits. Their vehicle was reportedly rammed by a red Audi A3, forcing them to stop.
Bogatsu and his co-accused allegedly took the teenagers and drove them to a house in Klipgat, where they were held captive.
The two teenagers were cousins.
R110 million ransom demanded
After the teenagers were taken, Bogatsu contacted their families.
The parents of the 17-year-old girl were allegedly instructed to pay R50 million, while the parents of the 18-year-old boy were allegedly asked for R60 million.
The total amount demanded from the two families was R110 million.
The teenagers were allegedly threatened with being killed or trafficked out of the country if the ransom demands were not met.
Both families reported the kidnapping to police on the same day, prompting an investigation to locate the teenagers and identify those responsible.
Teenagers found after 20 days
The two teenagers were eventually located on 26 March 2024, 20 days after they were kidnapped.
They were rescued alive and reunited with their families.
Bogatsu and the other accused were subsequently arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
Bogatsu pleads guilty
Bogatsu’s case was separated from that of his co-accused.
He pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted his involvement in the kidnapping and extortion of the teenagers and their families.
The court accepted his guilty plea and convicted him before imposing the sentence.
His effective sentence is 15 years’ direct imprisonment.
Eight co-accused still face trial
Eight other accused remain before the Pretoria High Court in connection with the case.
They are Humphrey Martin, 49; Neo Nathaniel Mokoena, 41; William Sendrey Phage, 58; Vergilio Hlongwane, 33; Nkanyiso Bright Hadebe, 25; Thulane Jacob Makume, 47; Stephen Pitso Kgotsane, 35; and Silence Robert Makhubela, 31.
Their trial has been scheduled for 26 April to 14 May 2027 in the Pretoria High Court.
The eight men have not been convicted in connection with the matter and remain accused pending the outcome of their trial.
Bogatsu has now been convicted and sentenced, while proceedings against the remaining accused are ongoing.
