Gauteng traffic police warns of zero tolerance on scholar transport safety as schools reopen
The Gauteng Traffic Police says scholar transport operators must ensure vehicles are roadworthy, drivers are properly licensed and learner safety is prioritised as schools reopen across the province this week.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The Gauteng Traffic Police have urged public transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy ahead of the reopening of schools on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
As the new school term gets underway, minibus, bus and scholar transport operators are expected to transport learners safely to their various places of learning.
Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said operators were being reminded of their responsibility to protect learners in their care.
“Scholar transport drivers and operators are reminded of their responsibility to safeguard the lives of learners in their care,” Maremane said.
“Vehicles used for scholar transport must be roadworthy and undergo regular inspections.”
He said drivers transporting learners were expected to meet all legal requirements.
“Drivers must hold valid Professional Driving Permits, comply with speed limits, and adhere to traffic laws at all times,” Maremane said.
Maremane also warned against unsafe transport practices, stressing that learner safety could not be compromised.
“Learners must be transported in safe seating conditions, with no standing passengers or overloading permitted,” he said.
Parents were also urged to play a role in ensuring the safety of their children by carefully vetting the scholar transport services they use.
Maremane said this included confirming that vehicles were roadworthy, legally licensed and operated by drivers who were properly qualified and fit to transport learners.
Meanwhile, the Department of Community Safety said it would adopt a zero-tolerance approach throughout the 2026 school term, with intensified law enforcement operations in and around school zones.
''These operations will focus on driver and vehicle fitness, regulatory compliance, and the prevention of overloading across all modes of scholar transport.
''Children must never be treated as cargo; they are precious lives who deserve the highest level of care and protection,'' Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
IOL News