The recent tragedy in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, has seen the issue of scholar transport safety take center stage. Following the reopening of schools on 14 January 2026, the Western Cape government has launched an aggressive enforcement campaign to address the high non-compliance, which is putting the children at extreme risk.
Within a period of ten days, traffic officers have conducted 45 integrated operations, stopping over 1,600 vehicles. The operations have seen 1,250 fines issued amounting to more than $36,637. Importantly, 46 vehicles have been impounded, including 23 unroadworthy vehicles that were removed from the road. The most concerning offenses involved drivers operating under the influence of alcohol, with one vehicle recording a breathalyzer reading of 0.68 mg/l, while others attempted to evade law enforcement by using back roads.
Some of these risks as identified by the government include the use of illegal public transport vehicles, overloading, and drivers who intentionally choose to drive through routes that are yet to be enforced. Even though it is easier to monitor a regulated transport system, it is still a major risk, and the biggest risk, however, is from those who are yet to be regulated and who only operate during peak hours. These individuals do not have valid licensing and therefore do not meet the minimum requirements, making it difficult to track them.
According to Minister Sileku, while it is essential for the government to enforce regulations during peak travel hours, it is equally important for transport operators to ensure that they meet a set of strict requirements, including regular checks before driving, providing each learner with a seat, and having a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol. The operators are encouraged to remain legal and drive through authorized routes, avoiding shortcuts that lead to preventable tragedies.
The parents and guardians must also be proactive in ensuring that the transport services they engage in are legal and compliant, and this will include checking the roadworthiness of the vehicles, making sure that the transporters are sober and have the required license to operate, and declining any overloaded arrangements. By engaging in compliant transportation and actively working to reduce the illegal activities of transporters, parents and guardians will be able to safeguard the lives of their children.
