A quiet highway turned deadly: Inside the Meyerton ambush that shocked two nations

A quiet stretch of road, shattered in seconds

The R59 outside Meyerton is usually a road people pass through without much thought, a steady ribbon of traffic linking Johannesburg to the Free State. On Tuesday, that familiar stretch became the scene of a brutal attack that left six people dead and families mourning across borders.

A minibus taxi carrying Lesotho nationals was travelling south when its journey was violently cut short. According to police, a Nissan Juke with three occupants rammed into the taxi before gunfire erupted. Within moments, the minibus overturned. Six passengers, four of them women would not survive.

For those who did, the trauma is far from over.

Gauteng police have arrested three suspects in connection with a shooting on the R59 in Meyerton, south of Johannesburg, which claimed the lives of six people.

Eighteen others were injured. pic.twitter.com/OIzx7JmIQX

The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 4, 2026

What police say happened

Gauteng police believe the attack was deliberate and coordinated. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that the Nissan Juke used in the ambush had been reported stolen in Witbank in September 2025. During the shooting, the vehicle lost control, but the damage had already been done.

Eighteen passengers survived with gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital, where they continue to receive treatment. Some are said to be in serious condition.

After fleeing the scene, the suspects allegedly hijacked another vehicle in an attempt to escape. A large-scale manhunt followed.

A rapid arrest after a coordinated manhunt

Within hours, police had tracked down and arrested three suspects. The operation brought together K9 units, Public Order Policing, visible policing teams from Kliprivier, Midvaal traffic officers, peace officers and private security companies a rare show of force that reflects the severity of the crime.

Authorities have opened six counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of carjacking and possession of a hijacked vehicle. More charges may still follow as investigations continue.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Shock, grief and anger ripple beyond Gauteng

News of the ambush spread quickly on social media, with many South Africans expressing horror at the level of violence, while Basotho communities, both in South Africa and Lesotho, shared messages of grief and disbelief.

Cross-border travel by minibus taxis is common, particularly for work, shopping and family visits. For many, this attack has reopened fears about safety on major routes and the vulnerability of passengers who rely on public transport.

Some users online have called for tighter security on highways, while others are demanding answers about whether this was a targeted hit or a random act of extreme violence.

A bigger question about road safety and crime

While police have not yet confirmed a motive, the incident adds to growing concerns about violent crime on Gauteng’s roads. Hijackings, ambush-style robberies and shootings have increasingly shifted from isolated areas to major routes used daily by commuters.

For now, families are waiting for official identification, survivors are recovering in hospital, and investigators are piecing together what led to such a devastating attack.

What remains is a haunting reminder: for six people heading home, an ordinary trip ended in tragedy and a quiet highway will never feel quite the same again.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com