President Cyril Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the deaths of 12 learners from Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville who were involved in a road incident in the Merafong City municipal area on Gauteng's West Rand.

President Ramaphosa has in a statement sent his condolences to the families, friends, learners and educators of the deceased children.

The President has also wished a speedy and full recovery to the seven learners who suffered injuries in the incident that involved a scholar transport vehicle.

"The loss of such young lives at the start of a new school term touches all of us as a nation," President Ramaphosa said.

"We wish the affected families and school communities the best as they mourn the passing of children who have been deprived of fulfilling their potential and spending their lives with families and friends.

"This tragedy, which regretfully is not the first of its kind to confront us, demands that we exercise our obligation to protect our children with the utmost care," the President said.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and her Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have also extended their deepest condolences to the families.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is investigating the cause of the fatal accident, which occurred on the D92 at 06:42 on Wednesday morning.

The crash involved a minibus carrying school children and a light delivery van.

Speaking at the South African Transport Conference at the CSIR earlier this week, Minister Creecy said road safety will receive priority attention in the seventh administration.