The City of Ekurhuleni has moved swiftly to confirm details and facts concerning the tragic bus crash on the R21 Northbound, near the R24 split close to the OR Tambo International Airport, in the early hours of Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 06:32am, involved a city-owned passenger bus and an unidentified light motor vehicle. Emergency services were dispatched promptly, and an Incident Command Post was established to manage the scene.
Regrettably, thirteen (13) lives have been lost as a result of the collision. Twelve (12) passengers were declared deceased on the scene, and one (1) succumbed to injuries in hospital later. A total of seventy-seven (77) injured passengers had to be transported to various healthcare facilities for medical attention. Among these, eight (8) were critically injured, forty (40) sustained serious injuries, and twenty-nine (29) sustained moderate to minor injuries.
The City’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) and EMPD together with SAPS, EMS, RTMC crash investigators, and private emergency responders, worked tirelessly on-site to triage, treat, and transport the injured to hospitals across Gauteng. Trauma counselling services are ongoing to support affected families during this difficult time.
A breakdown of the patients transported is as follows:
• Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital: 15 patients
• Edenvale Hospital: 14 patients
• Tembisa Hospital: 13 patients
• Far East Rand Hospital: 7 patients
• Zamokuhle Private Hospital: 5 patients
• Thelle Mogoerane Hospital: 6 patients
• Ethafeni Clinic: 6 patients
• Itireleng Clinic: 2 patients
• Bertha Gxowa Hospital: 3 patients
• Arwyp Private Hospital: 1 patient
• Esangweni Clinic: 1 patient
• Rose Acres Clinic: 1 patient
An investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway, led by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the SAPS. Part of the investigation involves a review of the CCTV footage of the incident captured by SANRAL.
The City can confirm that the MAN passenger bus was roadworthy, with a valid Certificate of Fitness issued on 10 February 2025. Passenger manifest reconciliation is ongoing, with final confirmation expected by the end of today, 12 March 2025.
The City of Ekurhuleni extends its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The city has established a Joint Operation Centre to assist members of the public who are still trying to locate their loved ones, need clarity on the accident or psycho-social support. The number for the centre is 011 999 1920.
