Two pedestrians killed on Friday, 29 August 2025, after being struck by an articulated truck while attempting to cross the busy R21 freeway near Tembisa in Ekurhuleni. The fatal incident, which occurred just before the Highveld Engen One Stop at around 14:14, has reignited debate about the lack of pedestrian infrastructure on Gauteng’s major highways.
According to the City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), a man and a woman were attempting to cross the southbound lanes of the R21 when they were fatally hit.
“On arrival, an articulated truck was found to have been the one involved, two motionless bodies lying on the left edge of the freeway. One of the two pedestrians was under the truck while the other was on the pavement,”
— William Ntladi, DEMS Spokesperson
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Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Emergency responders from DEMS arrived promptly on the scene. Two lanes were temporarily closed while members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) conducted investigations.
The truck driver remained on site and is fully cooperating with authorities. No charges have been laid as the investigation continues. Preliminary findings indicate that the driver may have been unable to stop in time, and factors such as speed and visibility are being reviewed.
“It’s not only dangerous — it’s unlawful to walk on a freeway,”
— EMPD Statement
Two Pedestrians Killed: A Repeated Tragedy in Gauteng
This incident adds to a disturbing trend in the province. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), pedestrian deaths accounted for over 41% of road fatalities during the festive season of 2024/2025.
Gauteng recorded the highest share of pedestrian fatalities in the country, with 63.84% of road deaths involving people on foot. The majority of these tragedies occur in densely populated, peri-urban areas like Tembisa, where safe crossing infrastructure is either non-existent or inaccessible.
“Pedestrian fatalities on South Africa’s roads remain a major concern,”
— Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Legal Context: Pedestrians Prohibited on Freeways
It is illegal for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles under 200cc to use South African freeways, including the R21. Authorities have reiterated that designated bridges and underpasses must be used for crossing. However, locals near the R21 have long lamented the lack of nearby pedestrian options.
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One resident said that the freeway “divides neighbourhoods” and forces residents to risk their lives daily. Despite warnings, the absence of safe infrastructure often leaves pedestrians with no choice but to jaywalk.
“People cross here all the time because there’s no bridge nearby. We’ve been asking for better infrastructure for years.”
— Local Resident
Community Impact and Calls for Urgent Infrastructure
The deaths of the man and woman have sent shockwaves through the local Tembisa community. With many residents reliant on walking and public transport, calls have intensified for the government to fast-track the installation of pedestrian bridges, fencing, signage, and public awareness campaigns.
Local civic organisations and ward councillors are now pushing for Gauteng Province to include the R21 in its non-motorised transport (NMT) upgrades, particularly in high-risk zones.
Urban Planning and Safety Must Align
A 2024 academic study published in the E‑Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences emphasised that 45.1% of all road-user deaths in 2023 were pedestrians — a figure that continues to rise.
The study points to:
- Lack of walkable infrastructure,
- Inadequate enforcement,
- Poor integration of transport planning and urban design.
Experts stress the need for evidence-based policies and multi-agency partnerships to address this growing crisis.
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A Preventable Loss of Life
The tragic case of two pedestrians killed while trying to cross the R21 is yet another reminder of the urgent need for pedestrian infrastructure investment in South Africa. As Gauteng’s population grows and urban sprawl increases, transport and safety planning must evolve to protect its most vulnerable road users — especially those on foot.
Until bridges are built and education improved, pedestrians will continue to be exposed to fatal risks. The time for reactive statements is over. What Gauteng needs now is proactive change.
