More than 20 unroadworthy school transport vehicles seized in Limpopo operations
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has impounded 25 scholar transport vehicles during a series of law enforcement operations aimed at improving learner safety across the province.
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The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has impounded 25 unroadworthy scholar transport vehicles, including buses, taxis and minibuses.
The department conducted a “Safer Back to School” operation in Thabazimbi CBD on January 27, 2026, focusing on learner transport safety.
Departmental spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said 12 officers took part in the operation, during which 86 vehicles were inspected.
These included two buses, 75 taxis and seven SUVs.
“During the operation, 13 summonses were issued for various offences, including permit violations and Professional Driving Permit (PRDP) infractions,” Taueatsoala said.
He said as a result, 10 vehicles were impounded, two buses, five taxis and three SUVs.
In a separate operation in the Capricorn district, the department continued its scholar transport enforcement at Seleteng Ramphele in the Mphahlele area.
Taueatsoala said 15 vehicles were impounded during the operation: four buses, four minibuses, two light delivery vehicles (bakkies) and five seven-seater vehicles.
“These enforcement actions underscore the department’s commitment to prioritising learner safety and enforcing compliance within the transport sector,” he said.
The department urged scholar transport operators to prioritise learner safety and regularise their operations.
Meanwhile, the department previously confirmed that 11 scholar transport vehicles were impounded in Ladanna, Polokwane, during a targeted law enforcement operation by the Public Transport Unit.
The vehicles were found to be operating in violation of transport legislation, including non-compliance with permit conditions, roadworthiness standards and safety regulations governing the transportation of learners.
“Such conduct places the lives of children at serious risk and undermines government’s commitment to learner safety,” Taueatsoala said.
He added that the department would not tolerate lawlessness in the scholar transport sector.
“The safety of learners is a non-negotiable priority. Operators who flout the law will face decisive action, including vehicle impoundment, fines and possible criminal prosecution.”
The enforcement drive comes as the country continues to reel from a tragedy in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, where 14 pupils were killed in a collision involving a scholar transport vehicle and a truck.
The crash occurred on Monday, January 19.
The driver, Ayanda Dludla, 22, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court last week on Thursday on 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
He has abandoned his bail application and is expected to return to court on March 5.
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