12-year-old driver kills pedestrian in Brakpan

By Mathipa Phishego

A shocking road accident that occurred on Saturday, 7 June 2025, in Brakpan has left the local community stunned and sparked widespread outrage across South Africa. A 12-year-old boy is at the center of a police investigation after allegedly driving a car that fatally struck a pedestrian.

The incident took place on Hospital Road late in the afternoon, and the pedestrian believed to be 14 years old. Emergency services arrived on the scene shortly after the collision, but the victim was declared dead due to the severity of her injuries.

Brakpan police spokesperson, Captain Thabiso Mokoena, confirmed the involvement of the minor in the fatal incident. “We can now confirm that a minor was operating a motor vehicle at the time of the collision. An inquiry is presently in progress to ascertain all the facts that contributed to this unfortunate incident,” said Mokoena.

image: Arrive Alive on X

Sources close to the investigation revealed that the child was handed over to police shortly after the accident. Authorities are now working to establish how the child accessed the vehicle, which is reportedly owned by a relative. The 12-year-old is currently under the care of social services while the case is being investigated.

Although no arrests have been made yet, police have indicated that the adults who allowed the boy to drive could face charges, including culpable homicide and negligence. The suspect is expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrates’ Court soon. Community members have expressed anger and disbelief at the circumstances surrounding the incident. “It is heartbreaking and completely avoidable, a life is lost, and a child’s future may be destroyed,” said one witness.

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The victim’s name has not been released, as authorities are still in the process of notifying her next of kin. The tragedy has reignited public debate about road safety, parenting responsibility, and the urgent need for stricter enforcement against unlicensed drivers. As investigations continue, residents are calling for accountability and tougher action to prevent similar incidents in the future.