N12 freeway reopens after deadly gas tanker fire shuts down major Joburg route

Relief for motorists after tense hours on the N12

After a day of traffic chaos, smoke, and safety fears, one of Johannesburg’s busiest highways is open again.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed that the N12 freeway in Bassonia has fully reopened in both directions after a fatal LPG gas tanker fire forced authorities to shut the route for several hours.

For many commuters in the south of Johannesburg, the closure turned an already busy Sunday into a frustrating maze of diversions and delays.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 APRIL 2026

UPDATE: FATAL COLLISION AND TANKER FIRE ON N12 NEAR BASSONIA: TOTAL ROAD CLOSURE

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), in conjunction with the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), is… pic.twitter.com/quZxg8agUz

Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) April 19, 2026

What happened on the N12?

The incident began on Sunday morning when an LPG gas tanker caught alight near the Comaro Road off-ramp.

Because the tanker was carrying highly flammable gas, emergency responders treated the scene as extremely dangerous. Authorities feared a possible explosion, leading to the immediate closure of the highway in both directions.

The crash claimed one life, adding tragedy to what was already a serious emergency.

Residents in nearby suburbs reported seeing smoke and heavy emergency activity, while social media quickly filled with warnings for motorists to avoid the area.

High-risk clean-up operation completed

According to JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla, specialist teams worked through a difficult and hazardous recovery process before the road could safely reopen.

This included:

• Decanting the remaining gas from the tanker
• Fire suppression and cooling operations
• Road surface inspections
• Clearing debris and damaged material
• Final safety checks

Once those steps were completed, officials declared the route safe for public use.

All temporary diversions at the R59 Reading Interchange and Comaro Road were also lifted.

A reminder of Joburg’s transport pressure points

The N12 is more than just another road. It is a vital artery linking Johannesburg’s southern suburbs, industrial areas, and freight movement routes.

When it closes, the knock-on effect is immediate. Traffic spills into surrounding roads, travel times rise sharply, and businesses depending on deliveries feel the pressure.

That is why incidents involving hazardous cargo often cause wider concern than ordinary crashes.

Officials thank residents for patience

Fihla thanked emergency crews who worked under dangerous conditions and praised residents and motorists for cooperating during the closure.

For many locals, patience was tested but there was also appreciation online for firefighters, metro police, and technical teams who prevented a potentially far worse disaster.

Separate road violence incident shocks city

While traffic authorities were dealing with the tanker blaze, Johannesburg also saw another alarming road-related incident.

Police are investigating a suspected road rage shooting in Emmarentia, where one person was killed and two others wounded after what reportedly began as a minor bumper-bashing.

According to Gauteng police, firearms were allegedly drawn by both drivers during the confrontation.

Roads under pressure

The two incidents, though unrelated, highlight a growing concern in Gauteng: roads are carrying not only heavier traffic volumes, but also higher emotional and safety risks.

From hazardous freight accidents to violent confrontations, the city’s road network is increasingly where pressure spills into public view.

For now, motorists can at least breathe easier knowing the N12 is moving again but Sunday served as another reminder of how quickly one incident can bring a major city route to a standstill.