South African authorities have intensified a crackdown on school transport safety in Gauteng following a deadly crash that claimed the lives of 14 learners, as more than 60 scholar transport vehicles were impounded during an enforcement operation in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
The enforcement drive comes days after a minibus taxi transporting schoolchildren collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng province, on Monday. Gauteng police confirmed that two more learners died in hospital in the early hours of Thursday, bringing the death toll from the crash to 14.
During Thursday’s enforcement operation, the Department of Transport said authorities were inspecting scholar transport vehicles for compliance with regulations, including registration status, overloading, driver conduct, and overall roadworthiness.
“They were inspecting scholar transport vehicles for compliance with regulations, including verification of due registration, assessment of overloading, enforcement of driver adherence to traffic rules, and evaluation of vehicle roadworthiness. Unroadworthy vehicles will be impounded immediately,” the department said in a statement.
Operating without permits
The operation, led by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, resulted in the impounding of over 60 vehicles for various offences, including operating without valid permits and roadworthiness certificates. Two drivers were arrested for overloading during the inspections.
Provincial police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said the 22-year-old scholar transport driver involved in the crash now faces 14 counts of culpable homicide, as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving.
Twelve learners were killed at the scene on Monday, while several others were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that four learners remain hospitalised, with one having been discharged from the intensive care unit.
Chiloane warned scholar transport operators against overloading vehicles and operating taxis that are not roadworthy, saying negligence and non-compliance with safety regulations continue to put learners’ lives at risk.
Scrutiny on school transport
Eyewitnesses to the Vanderbijlpark crash said the driver had overtaken several vehicles at once on a narrow road before colliding head-on with an oncoming truck.
The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of the scholar transport sector, which has long faced complaints over poor regulation, lack of subsidies and unsafe practices.
In Lenasia, police also arrested a minibus taxi driver earlier this week for transporting more than 20 schoolchildren in one vehicle and operating without a valid permit.
The department also called on parents to play a role in learner safety.
“All scholar transport drivers must demonstrate responsible behaviour, including obeying speed limits and traffic laws. Parents must encourage the children to observe and report any driver behaviour that puts them in danger,” it said.
However, the enforcement action has sparked anger among some scholar transport operators, who argue that government is failing to support the sector.
Operators in Lenasia have threatened to embark on a stay-away on Friday in protest against the impounding of vehicles. The Greater Johannesburg Learner Transport Association said it is engaging with operators to prevent disruptions to schooling.
