Two Pedestrians Killed in R21 Freeway Crash Near Thembisa
Viable News Team 
Thembisa, Gauteng – A man and a woman tragically lost their lives on Friday, 29 August 2025, after being struck by an articulated truck while attempting to cross the R21 freeway southbound near the Highveld Engen One Stop, outside Thembisa.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 14:14, according to the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS). Spokesperson William Ntladi confirmed that emergency teams arrived quickly at the scene but found both victims already deceased.
“On arrival, an articulated truck was found to have been the one involved. Two motionless bodies were lying on the left edge of the freeway. One of the pedestrians was under the truck, while the other was on the pavement,” Ntladi explained.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased, pending notification of their families.
Illegal and Dangerous Freeway Crossing
Investigations suggest the pedestrians were attempting to cross the busy freeway when the truck struck them. Such actions are both dangerous and unlawful, as South African road regulations strictly prohibit pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles under 200cc from using freeways.
Officials have repeatedly urged residents to use pedestrian bridges and underpasses where available. However, community members argue that the lack of sufficient safe crossing points in certain areas forces people to take risks.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), pedestrian deaths remain one of the leading causes of road fatalities in South Africa, accounting for over 35% of all traffic-related deaths annually. In Gauteng, where freeways cut through densely populated urban areas, jaywalking continues to pose a deadly challenge.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Two lanes on the R21 were temporarily closed to allow DEMS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) to conduct an investigation. Forensic experts examined skid marks, impact points, and interviewed witnesses at the scene.
The truck driver remained on-site and is cooperating with authorities. No charges have yet been laid, as investigators continue to assess the circumstances surrounding the crash. The EMPD has appealed to the public for witnesses to come forward with any information.
Community Reaction and Calls for Action
The accident has left Thembisa residents shocked and grieving. Locals near the accident site say the R21 acts as a barrier between communities, often leaving pedestrians with no safe way to cross.
Community leaders have renewed calls for the construction of more pedestrian bridges and improved awareness campaigns to prevent further tragedies. “People are dying because there are no safe alternatives. We cannot continue to lose lives this way,” one resident told local media.
City officials have pledged to strengthen road safety education, particularly in schools, while also exploring infrastructure improvements. Enforcement of the ban on pedestrian use of freeways is also expected to be intensified.
A Growing Concern
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of pedestrian fatalities on Gauteng’s highways. Experts say reducing such incidents will require a combination of infrastructure upgrades, stricter law enforcement, and public awareness.
As investigations into the crash continue, authorities are once again urging residents never to attempt crossing freeways, describing it as “a fatal gamble with almost no chance of survival.”
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