MEYERTON, Gauteng – A minibus taxi travelling from Johannesburg to Lesotho came under sudden attack on the R59 highway near Meyerton on Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2026, resulting in six fatalities and 18 people wounded.
The victims, all Lesotho nationals, included four women and two men among the deceased. The 18 survivors sustained gunshot wounds and injuries from the vehicle overturning; they are receiving treatment in hospital.
Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, who addressed the media at the scene, described the incident as an unprovoked shooting. A white Nissan Juke, reported stolen in Witbank in September 2025, approached the minibus and its three occupants opened fire. The taxi driver attempted to evade the attackers by pushing their vehicle off the road, which caused the Nissan Juke to lose control.
The suspects exited their vehicle, crossed a small bridge on foot, and hijacked a Datsun GO from a woman in the area. They fled in the hijacked car, but it ended up in a ditch in the Kliprivier area. Police, assisted by K9 units, drones, helicopters, Public Order Policing, Kliprivier Visible Policing, Midvaal Traffic Department, Midvaal peace officers, and private security, tracked and arrested all three suspects – also Lesotho nationals.
Major General Kekana confirmed that the arrests followed a coordinated operation after officers encountered the hijacked woman and initiated a pursuit. Forensic teams remain at the scene processing evidence, including recovering firearms.
The suspects face charges of six counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a hijacked motor vehicle. They are expected to appear in court shortly.
Investigations continue to establish the full circumstances of the attack. No motive has been publicly disclosed.
Transformer Explosion Causes Partial Collapse at Doornfontein Student Residence
Johannesburg, 2 February 2026 – Emergency services responded to a serious incident in Doornfontein this morning when a transformer explosion led to the partial collapse of a structure at a student accommodation building.
The incident occurred in the New Doornfontein area, near the Johannesburg CBD, at a location on Lower Railway Road at the corner of Staib Street. Emergency calls were received shortly before 6:00 AM, reporting a fire at a substation or small utility storage room attached to the building.
Upon arrival, responders found the utility room on fire. An explosion followed, resulting in the collapse of the room itself and an adjoining boundary wall. Parts of the student residence building were affected, though reports describe it as a partial collapse rather than a full structural failure.
Gauteng Provincial Government Emergency Medical Services (EMS) confirmed that four people were injured in the incident. The injured include one student and three security guards, all of whom sustained third-degree burns. They were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. No fatalities have been reported, and all nearby residents and occupants have been accounted for, with no indications of anyone trapped under the debris.
City of Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo stated that the fire was electrical in origin, involving a transformer housed in the small utility storage room. The matter has been handed over to City Power for further investigation into the exact cause. While initial social media reports and some early accounts suggested a gas explosion or generator involvement, EMS clarified that the incident was electrical and not related to gas.
Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku was on the scene, and officials noted the need to investigate possible contributing factors, including any structural or infrastructure issues.
Emergency teams, including fire and rescue personnel, remained on site throughout the day. Almost 12 hours after the incident, Joburg Emergency Services continued structural assessments to determine stability and clear rubble safely. Technical teams were required to evaluate damage before allowing further debris removal or entry. Checks were also conducted for any secondary hazards, such as potential gas leaks or additional structural weaknesses.
Students from adjacent buildings gathered nearby during the operation, and authorities were assessing whether residents could safely remain in place overnight or if alternative accommodations would be needed.
The incident caused local disruption, with emergency vehicles on scene and some cordoning in the area. City Power is handling the transformer-related aspects, and investigations are ongoing to establish the precise trigger of the fire and explosion.
No further injuries or complications have been reported as of late afternoon, and emergency services continue to monitor the site for safety. Updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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Deadly Collision on R102 Claims 11 Lives in Isipingo
A severe road accident occurred on the R102, also known as Wanda Cele Drive, near Lotus Park in Isipingo, south of Durban, on January 29, 2026. The incident involved a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and an interlink truck at approximately 7:30 a.m. Emergency services responded to reports of the crash, where they found multiple fatalities and injuries at the scene.
Eleven individuals perished in the accident, including a 13-year-old boy who was believed to be en route to school. The deceased consisted of passengers from the minibus taxi. Paramedics from ALS Paramedics confirmed the deaths on site, noting that the victims included one child among the total. Eight additional people sustained serious to critical injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The minibus taxi was carrying between 17 and 18 passengers at the time of the crash, exceeding its capacity. Investigations revealed that the taxi driver’s Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) had expired in 2023. Preliminary assessments also indicated that the vehicle’s tires may have been worn. The truck driver survived the collision without fatal injuries. The taxi driver was trapped in the wreckage for approximately three hours before being extricated and was reported to be in critical condition following the rescue.
The R102 was closed for several hours following the accident to allow emergency personnel to manage the scene and conduct initial assessments. Motorists were advised to avoid the area during this period.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal, along with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. A joint team comprising officers from various law enforcement agencies was formed to examine the circumstances. The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, confirmed that a comprehensive probe was underway. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, stated that the investigation would be thorough and emphasized the need for accountability.
On February 3, 2026, following meetings with the families of the victims, MEC Duma released the names of the 11 deceased individuals. The victims were identified as:
- Bangeni Shange, aged 69, with funeral arrangements set for Port Shepstone on February 7, 2026.
- Zinhle Ntshangase, aged 33, with funeral in Umzimkhulu on February 7, 2026.
- Pamela Mangqasane, aged 66, a nurse from JMH Isipingo Hospital, with funeral in the Eastern Cape on February 7, 2026.
- Nompumelelo Mteshana, aged 34, with funeral in Harding on February 8, 2026.
- Talethe Joyce Khwela, aged 43, with funeral in Mfume on February 8, 2026.
- Nteboheng Mkhize, aged 51, with funeral in uMgababa on February 7, 2026.
- Sonwabile Nokwebuza, aged 58, with funeral in the Eastern Cape.
- Maqhawe Sosibo, aged 33, with funeral in Bulwer.
- Samukele Sithole, aged 18, with funeral likely in Umlazi on February 7, 2026.
- Mcebo Gumede, aged 36, with funeral in Umlazi, eGolokodo, over the weekend of February 7-8, 2026.
- Nkululeko Mkhize, aged 48, from Adams Mission.
All families were located by February 3, 2026, with the final family contacted that afternoon. Support was provided to the families during the identification process at the Park Rynie Mortuary, coordinated by SAPS officers from Isipingo Police Station and the provincial transport team.
MEC Duma announced that the families preferred individual burials for their loved ones. A mass prayer and memorial service was scheduled for February 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi. The event will involve the provincial chaplain, Viva Mpungose, along with other chaplains, ambassadors, and interfaith leaders. Residents of KwaZulu-Natal were invited to attend in support of the affected families.
The crash has prompted calls for enhanced road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic laws in the province. Authorities confirmed cases of culpable homicide are under investigation, with MEC Duma advocating for murder charges against both drivers involved, citing reckless behavior as a contributing factor to the loss of life.
The RTMC dispatched a specialized team to analyze the accident scene and vehicle conditions. No final determination on the exact cause has been released, but the probe includes reviews of vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and road conditions at the time of the incident.
