Three suspects linked to a deadly shooting on the R59 near Meyerton, south of Johannesburg, have been arrested following an attack that left six people dead and 18 others injured.
Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana confirmed that all the victims are Lesotho nationals.
According to Kekana, the suspects, driving a hijacked vehicle, ambushed a bus travelling from Johannesburg to Lesotho and opened fire on the passengers and the driver.
The attack occurred near the Johan Le Roux off-ramp, during which the Sprinter bus reportedly collided with the Nissan, believed to have been stolen.
“Drones and choppers were mobilised, and we managed to apprehend two suspects immediately, right there and then. At a later stage, when we deployed our biological and explosive detection dogs, we managed to arrest the third suspect. All three suspects hijacked the vehicle used in the attack and fired shots at the bus. When we checked the vehicle they were driving, we found that it had been robbed or stolen in Witbank in September 2025,” Kekana stated.
“Tragically, six people, four females and two males, lost their lives in the incident. Eighteen others are currently receiving treatment in hospital. The team remains on the ground, tracking firearms, and all units are mobilised.”
Emergency services attended to the injured and transported them to nearby hospitals. SAPS has opened six counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a hijacked vehicle.
Investigations are ongoing, and all three suspects are expected to appear in the Magistrate’s Court soon.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist with the investigation.
Saturday Star