South Africa Grieves After Deadly Cape Flats Violence and School Transport Crash

South Africa is mourning the deaths of at least 26 people killed in a wave of violence on the Cape Flats over the weekend, alongside 11 school learners who died in a road accident near Vanderbijlpark on Monday.

The government confirmed that the Cape Flats incidents occurred within a 24-hour period, highlighting ongoing concerns over gang-related violence in parts of the Western Cape. The separate road crash involved a vehicle transporting learners that collided with a truck, resulting in multiple fatalities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended condolences to the bereaved families and affected communities, describing the incidents as a tragic loss of life. In a statement, he said the government remains committed to working closely with citizens and community-based organisations to improve safety and prevent further loss of life.

Addressing the violence in the Western Cape, the president said authorities would strengthen law enforcement operations and increase police visibility in affected areas to help stabilise communities and curb further attacks. He also urged residents to deepen cooperation with security agencies through community policing forums and to share information that could assist law enforcement efforts.

President Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of solidarity among neighbours and families, noting that collective action can help counter criminal intimidation. He said recent cooperation between communities and police had already yielded results, with more than 200 suspected gang members, including leaders and accomplices, arrested over the past three months.

The president assured South Africans that the government is pursuing both immediate security measures and longer-term socio-economic interventions aimed at addressing the underlying conditions that contribute to crime and violence, while improving living standards in vulnerable communities.