Barely weeks after the tragic Vanderbijlpark crash that claimed the lives of 14 learners, another devastating accident in Durban has claimed 11 lives, further deepening national concern over the state of road safety in South Africa.
The back-to-back tragedies have intensified urgent calls for safer, more regulated transport systems, particularly for scholar and public transport, as the country grapples with a growing crisis on the roads.
Since the Vanderbijlpark incident, enforcement operations have been intensified across the country, with multiple law enforcement agencies increasing oversight of learner transport and public transport services.
These operations focus on driver fitness, vehicle roadworthiness, and compliance with transport regulations.
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa instructed enforcement agencies, including the RTMC National Traffic Police, to step up operations with a specific focus on scholar transport nationwide.
The Department of Transport revealed that it is in the final stages of reviewing the National Learner Transport Policy to address key safety concerns and improve access to reliable scholar transport.
“The department is in the final stages of reviewing the National Learner Transport Policy to tackle crucial issues relating to the safety of learner transport and access to reliable scholar transportation. The policy will be presented to the Cabinet for approval in due course.”
Authorities also detailed that the presence of unsafe vehicles is not linked to the policy itself, adding that operators and transport associations must comply with road laws and maintain roadworthy fleets.
They stressed that unsafe or unroadworthy vehicles remain the responsibility of operators and parents, not the policy itself.
“In terms of the driver, parents should ensure the driver holds a valid driving licence endorsed with a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) for passenger transport,” the department stated.
“The holder of this PrDP must be 21 years or older. Ensure the driver is fit, not intoxicated, and free from fatigue or distress. Avoid using unroadworthy or unregistered vehicles by checking the roadworthiness certificate and licence disc. These should be renewed annually for minibus taxis and biannually for buses.”
Despite these interventions, concerns over learner safety persist in Gauteng.
A recent pre-testing inspection at the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s Jabulani station in Soweto revealed that 94% of tested scholar transport vehicles were non-compliant, prompting calls for immediate action.
Evert Du Plessis, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Logistics, said the findings highlighted the grave danger learners face on the province’s roads.
“The safety of Gauteng learners is in grave danger. The fact that only 6% of vehicles passed inspection should raise alarm bells. The department must act to enforce compliance and protect learners. For too long, warnings have gone unheeded, and non-compliant operators continue to put children at risk.”
“The DA has repeatedly raised the dangers posed by the failure to regularly check drivers' permits and ensure that drivers are fit for their critical roles. We have also formally called on the Gauteng Provincial Government to review scholar transport policy, following a series of learner-related accidents that continue unabated.”
“However, the response from the relevant departments has been sluggish, raising questions about how many disasters must occur before we see meaningful action. The fact that only 6% of this sample passed the inspection should raise alarm bells and prompt these two departments to act, particularly because the problem is far more widespread.”
Local learner transport operators, such as Eldorado Park Learner Transport Association (E.L.T.A.), highlighted the importance of proactive safety measures.
“We ensure learner safety by strictly following road traffic laws, loading and off-loading learners only at designated safe points, and maintaining constant awareness of road and traffic conditions,” the association stated.
“All drivers are trained to prioritise children’s safety over speed or convenience, conduct routine vehicle inspections before every trip, and remain calm in emergencies while coordinating with schools, parents, and authorities. Each driver is insured with Accident Angels to provide access to private hospital care in the event of an accident.”
E.L.T.A. emphasised that safety must always take priority over profit or speed, urging operators, parents, and authorities to collaborate in maintaining learner protection despite limited government support.
As part of the ongoing efforts, on Thursday the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport handed over 130 valid operating licences to compliant public transport operators during a ceremony at the Koedoespoort Regional Offices in Tshwane.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, described the handover as a step towards stabilising the public transport sector.
“The licence handover reflects our determination to build a licensing system that is transparent, efficient, and fair,” MEC Diale-Tlabela said.
“Our focus is on bringing services closer to operators and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, including vehicle roadworthiness, safe operation, and adherence to licensing rules. Operators must respect the rules of the road and contribute to a transport system that the people of Gauteng can trust.”
Transport Ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi said driver behaviour and human error remain among the leading causes of road crashes in South Africa, adding that the government continues to prioritise education and enforcement to address the crisis.
“We are concerned about driver behaviour and human error, which remain the leading causes of most road crashes. We continue to embark on educational campaigns to change this behaviour.”
Msibi said strict regulatory guidelines are already in place for scholar transport operators.
“There is a clear framework that sets out what is required for operators to obtain operating permits. Scholar transport operators are required to have a valid operating licence, which confirms that the operator is recognised and authorised to carry passengers on specific routes,” he said.
He added that compliance requirements include valid vehicle registration and roadworthiness certification.
“Operators must have a valid Vehicle Registration Certificate and Roadworthy Certificate confirming that the vehicle is safe for the road. These documents must be renewed annually for minibus taxis and biannually for buses,” Msibi said.
He stressed that enforcement action must be taken against non-compliant operators.
“Unroadworthy or unlicensed vehicles must be impounded, fined, or prohibited from operating. Regulations also require scholar transport vehicles to carry appropriate first-aid kits at all times,” he said.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) also responded to the Durban crash, appealing to all road users to exercise heightened caution.
“The RTMC acknowledges the profound pain and loss experienced by the affected families and the broader community during this difficult time,” the organisation said in a statement.
“The RTMC appeals to all road users to exercise heightened caution, patience, and strict adherence to road traffic laws, particularly during peak traffic periods, to prevent further loss of life on our roads.”
Saturday Star