In the wake of a deadly scholar transport crash that claimed the lives of 14 children in the Vaal on Monday, January 19, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has issued a stern warning to scholar transport operators, insisting that the government will not compromise on learner safety despite threats of service disruptions.
The warning follows a major law-enforcement operation in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, during which more than 60 scholar transport vehicles were impounded for being unroadworthy, overloaded or operating without valid permits.
The joint operation was led by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, with two drivers arrested for overloading.
The crackdown has angered some scholar transport operators, who have threatened to suspend services and urged parents to make alternative arrangements as the new school term begins. Operators have called on the government to fast-track the issuing of specialised operating permits, arguing that delays have left many drivers unable to operate legally.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela joined Minister Creecy and National Traffic Police officials during the operation, where parents and drivers were addressed on compliance and safety requirements.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport said the operation was aimed at preventing further tragedies and restoring order in a sector that has come under increased scrutiny following the fatal crash.
“We value the lives of our children. Scholar transport vehicles were inspected for compliance, including verification of registration, assessment of overloading, enforcement of traffic rules and evaluation of vehicle roadworthiness. Unroadworthy vehicles were impounded immediately, and unregistered drivers were arrested,” the department said in a post on X.
On Thursday, January 22, scholar transport drivers in Lenasia circulated posters stating that they were standing in solidarity with colleagues whose vehicles had been impounded and advised parents to make alternative transport arrangements.
Speaking at a memorial service for the learners who died in the Vaal crash on Friday January 23, Chiloane condemned the move, accusing some operators of deliberately flouting the law and attempting to pressure authorities into relaxing enforcement.
“We are not running a criminal state and we are not going to bow to criminal tendencies,” Chiloane said, adding that enforcement operations would continue despite threats of protest. “We are adamant that we will save our children.”
He said the tragedy did not occur in isolation, but within a scholar transport system that has for years operated with inadequate oversight, weak regulation and little accountability.
According to Chiloane, authorities have uncovered widespread non-compliance, including overloaded vehicles, unlicensed drivers, unroadworthy buses and reckless driving practices that place learners’ lives at risk.
“This culture of impunity ends now,” he said.
Chiloane announced that the Gauteng Department of Education, working with the Department of Transport, law-enforcement agencies and traffic authorities, would introduce immediate and comprehensive measures to tighten regulation across the sector.
He said all scholar transport vehicles operating in the province would be subjected to rigorous safety inspections, while drivers and operators would be required to demonstrate full compliance with licensing and road-safety standards.
Those who fail to meet the requirements, he warned, would be removed from the system without exception.
Chiloane also urged parents and communities to play an active role in safeguarding learners by verifying transport operators’ credentials and reporting unsafe practices.
He added that the government was considering stricter regulations, including specialised licences for scholar transport drivers, mandatory vetting, psychosocial training, lower speed limits, and advanced and defensive driving requirements.
A joint task team between the departments of education and transport is expected to begin work next week to fast-track regulatory reforms aimed at improving road safety and preventing further loss of life.
The Star
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