South Africa is mourning the loss of more than 32 lives in just one week following a series of deadly bus crashes across the country. The Automobile Association (AA) has described the situation as a “national crisis”, calling for urgent enforcement of road laws and immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
AA spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela expressed deep concern over the rising fatalities, saying, “These are not just statistics. These are mothers, fathers, children, and friends who will never return home. Each road death is a tragedy, and we cannot afford to keep losing lives in preventable accidents.”
The past week has seen multiple high-impact collisions that have left families grieving and survivors battling severe injuries. On March 12, a school bus carrying children collided with a truck in Germiston, leaving parents in distress as they waited for news of their children’s safety. On March 11, a horrific crash near Johannesburg saw a bus overturn, killing 14 people and injuring 45 more, with some passengers ejected from the vehicle as it rolled. On March 9, a collision on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal claimed eight lives, including that of a child. On March 5, ten people died when a bus and a truck crashed on the N6 in the Free State.
Mavimbela said these tragedies highlight a lack of road discipline and an urgent need for intervention. “Too many accidents are caused by reckless driving, speeding, and poor vehicle maintenance. We need stricter law enforcement and harsher penalties for those who endanger others on the road,” she said.
The AA is urging both the government and road users to take immediate action. They are calling for tougher law enforcement through crackdowns on reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and non-compliance with safety regulations. They are also advocating for stronger public awareness through education campaigns that encourage responsible driving and pedestrian safety. Additionally, they stress the importance of better infrastructure, including improved road designs, more maintenance, and dedicated bus lanes to reduce high-risk crashes.
“How many more people must die before real change happens?” Mavimbela asked. “We cannot continue to accept this level of loss on our roads. It’s time for all of usgovernment, transport operators, and individuals to take responsibility.”
Meanwhile, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has expressed concern over the safety of scholar transport following a bus-truck collision in Ekurhuleni, which left 19 learners injured. SADTU spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said, “As a union that cares about the safety and well-being of all in education, SADTU calls on the Department of Basic Education in Gauteng to provide immediate psycho-social services to all affected learners to help them process the trauma and return to learning in a safe and supportive environment.”
“We also urge authorities to ensure that scholar transport meets the highest safety standards. Law enforcement officers, more specifically, traffic police, must be thorough when inspecting vehicles,” she added.
Cembi said SADTU stands in solidarity with the affected families, learners, and educators during this difficult time. “We encourage all stakeholders in education to work together to improve the safety of scholar transport and protect our children from such tragedies,” she said.
The AA has called on South Africans to come together in both prayer and action, urging government, transport operators, and individuals to take responsibility for road safety. “We all have the power to make a difference,” Mavimbela said. “If we drive responsibly, follow the rules, and demand better enforcement, we can stop this tragic cycle.”
Both the AA and SADTU remain committed to working with authorities to implement road safety measures that will save lives.
The latest death toll figures were not available when going to print.
