South African tragedies: 26 die in gang-violence, 11 pupils in road crash

By Ayox Ojo

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness over a string of tragedies in various parts of the country over the weekend and today, Monday, 19, January, 2026.

According to a post on his X handle on Monday, Ramaphosa recalled that 26 lives were lost in a series of gang violence at Cape Flats that began last Friday and lasted over the weekend.

Media reports indicated that 26 people including a 13-year-old soccer player were shot dead in Cape town in two mass shootings rocked the city.

At least, a total of 44 people were reportedly shot in the series of attacks believed to be linked to extortion activities.

The tragedy continued on Monday as at 11 school pupils were killed and five others critically injured when a private scholar transport vehicle collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark in south of Johannesburg, local media reported.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of lives in the two incidents in a post on his X handle.

He also promised that his government will take action to tackle gang violence and improve school transportation to prevent recurrence of the incidents.

The statement partly reads: “President Ramaphosa offers his deepest sympathies to all families and communities concerned and says government will work with citizens and community-based organisations to protect people’s lives in these different circumstances.

“With reference to the Western Cape tragedies, President Ramaphosa said communities could expect stronger law enforcement and increased police visibility to stabilise affected communities and reduce the potential for further violence.

“President Ramaphosa recognises the fear to which criminals subject residents and therefore calls on communities to strengthen their partnership with law enforcement agencies in community policing forums.

“The President also urges residents to provide information – even on neighbours and family members – to police on an ongoing basis so that communities will instead become unsafe for criminals. With the assistance of community members, the South African Police Service has been able to arrest 100 gang leaders and 106 runners in the past three months.

“President Ramaphosa assures residents that government is balancing short-term actions to prevent and respond to violence and stabilise communities, with long-term socio-economic interventions to improve social conditions and living standards.

“On today’s learner transport tragedy, President Ramaphosa says it particularly distressing that this incident has taken place on the day the South African Human Rights Commission has published a report on scholar transport in the North West.

“The President’s thoughts are with the families, teachers, classmates and friends of the young victims.

“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners,” Ramaphosa said while pledging that national and provincial authorities will provide families and schools with the necessary psychosocial support.