In a shocking act of violence on the R59 highway south of Johannesburg, six people were fatally shot and several others injured when their minibus was ambushed by armed suspects. Authorities have arrested three individuals in connection with the incident, all of whom, along with the victims, are reported to be Lesotho nationals.
The attack unfolded earlier today when a group of suspects in a white vehicle targeted a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus en route from Johannesburg to Lesotho. Eyewitness accounts describe the assailants opening fire without provocation, causing the minibus to collide with the suspects’ car, which then veered into a nearby bridge. The suspects fled on foot before hijacking another vehicle to escape the scene. A distress call from a woman screaming for help alerted emergency services, leading to a swift police response and subsequent chase.
Police confirmed that six passengers were killed in the hail of gunfire, with initial reports varying between five and six fatalities. At least 18 others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Gauteng Police Deputy Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana provided details in a statement: “All three suspects were arrested and the scene is still on and our forensics team is still on the ground processing the scene and that the job is done thoroughly to the expected level. All the deceased are Lesotho including the injured are Lesotho nationals, six of those who passed on also were shot at.”
The motives behind the ambush remain unclear, and investigators are working to piece together the circumstances. No further details on the suspects’ identities or potential connections to the victims have been released as the forensic examination continues.
Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward as the investigation progresses.