South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sorrow after a violent weekend on the Cape Flats left 26 people dead, followed hours later by a tragic scholar‑transport collision near Vanderbijlpark that claimed the lives of 13 schoolchildren.
Ramaphosa said on Monday that the country had endured “a devastating 24 hours,” offering condolences to families affected by both the gang‑related killings and the fatal crash.
Authorities said the minibus driver collided with a truck while attempting to overtake two vehicles.
Two students remain in critical condition.
Ramaphosa said the government would intensify law‑enforcement operations in the Western Cape, promising stronger police visibility to stabilise communities gripped by gang violence.
He urged residents to work closely with police and community‑policing forums, noting that public cooperation had helped officers arrest more than 200 suspected gang leaders and runners in recent months.
Ramaphosa said short‑term security measures would be paired with long‑term socio‑economic interventions to address the roots of violence.
JN/APA