Six dead in R59 minibus ambush near Meyerton

A roadside ambush flipped a routine taxi trip into a mass-casualty crime scene, leaving bodies, bullet wounds, and a fast police dragnet behind.

Deadly ambush on Gauteng highway

• Six Lesotho nationals died after gunfire hit a minibus taxi.
• Four women were among the people killed.
• Eighteen passengers survived with gunshot wounds.
• The attack happened on the R59 near Meyerton.

How the violence unfolded

• A Nissan Juke slammed into the taxi during travel.
• Gunmen immediately started shooting after the impact.
• The minibus overturned under the assault.
• The trip was heading from Johannesburg toward the Free State.

Suspect vehicle background

• Police linked the Nissan Juke to a theft report.
• Witbank logged the vehicle as stolen.
• Record dated back to September 2025.
• Car history raised red flags fast.

Hunt and arrests

• Suspects ditched the scene and hijacked another car.
• South African Police Service teams launched a joint operation.
• K9 units and traffic officers joined the chase.
• Private security backed the manhunt.

What police leadership confirmed

• Fred Kekana described rapid drone deployment.
• Helicopters helped track fleeing suspects.
• Two arrests happened immediately at the scene.
• The final suspect fell after the dog unit deployment.

Charges stacking up

• Prosecutors prepared six murder counts.
• Attempted murder charges cover all surviving victims.
• Carjacking and stolen vehicle possession were added.
• Court appearances are expected soon.

Investigation status

• Police classified the shooting as unprovoked.
• Case work remains active and expanding.
• Evidence reviews are still underway.
• Authorities are tightening timelines.