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In a sweeping operation aimed at protecting schoolchildren across KwaZulu-Natal, authorities have suspended more than 268 scholar transport vehicles since the reopening of schools last month.
The decisive action forms part of a province-wide crackdown on unsafe vehicles and drivers who fail to comply with road safety and licensing regulations. The provincial Department of Transport confirmed that the suspensions followed intensive inspections that uncovered widespread non-compliance in the learner transport sector — a sector responsible for carrying thousands of pupils daily.
Alongside the suspended vehicles, law enforcement officials charged 429 drivers with various offences. These ranged from operating unlicensed vehicles and driving without a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) to reckless and negligent driving.
The renewed enforcement drive comes amid growing public concern over scholar transport safety. Anxiety escalated following a recent accident in Mpophomeni near Howick, where a scholar transport vehicle crashed, leaving 16 pupils injured. Fortunately, none of the children suffered life-threatening injuries, but the incident reignited fears about the roadworthiness of vehicles ferrying learners each day.
In a particularly alarming case last week, Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers intercepted a six-seater vehicle in the Pietermaritzburg area transporting a staggering 23 children. The severely overloaded vehicle posed a clear and immediate danger to its young passengers.
The driver reportedly blamed his age for the overloading incident and received what was described as a polite but firm warning from Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma. He was instructed to immediately correct the vehicle’s condition and ensure compliance with safety standards.
However, only days later, the same minibus was reportedly spotted back on the road, once again transporting pupils. This development prompted serious concerns from authorities.
Duma emphasised the urgent need for technological monitoring systems to track compliance and prevent repeat violations. He also called for stricter enforcement measures against repeat offenders.
An investigation has since been launched into the alleged fraudulent issuing of a roadworthy certificate for the vehicle in question. According to the department, the minibus is legally domiciled in Pietermaritzburg but obtained its roadworthy certification in the Eastern Cape — a discrepancy that has raised suspicions about possible irregularities in the inspection process.
Duma noted that it was highly unlikely for a vehicle to deteriorate to such an unroadworthy state within such a short period, further fueling concerns about the integrity of certification procedures.
The crackdown has also exposed shocking mechanical defects in many scholar transport vehicles. Inspections revealed worn-out tyres, faulty braking systems, broken lights, and severe structural damage — all of which pose direct threats to pupil safety. Authorities described such conditions as unacceptable and intolerable.
This intensified enforcement effort was partly triggered by a tragic accident earlier this month near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, where 14 pupils lost their lives. The vehicle involved was reportedly not registered for scholar transport and was operated by an unlicensed driver. The tragedy sent shockwaves across the country and placed national scrutiny on learner transport safety standards.
In response, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in KwaZulu-Natal has stepped up its oversight of scholar transport operations. Dedicated members have been deployed to monitor vehicle roadworthiness, ensure drivers adhere to professional dress codes, and confirm that pupils are transported strictly during school hours.
The Department of Transport has also announced plans to tighten legislation governing scholar and taxi transport. Proposed measures include stricter driver vetting processes, clearer vehicle safety standards, and enhanced operational oversight mechanisms.
One of the upcoming initiatives will introduce visible branding and scannable licence discs for authorised scholar transport vehicles. These measures are expected to make it easier for authorities and the public to identify legitimate operators.
Duma made it clear that any unauthorised vehicle found transporting pupils will be impounded, and operators will face prosecution.
Phoenix Scholar Association member Krishen Chetty expressed strong support for the department’s enforcement programme. He said responsible operators understand the gravity of transporting children and recognise that they are carrying the country’s future leaders.
Chetty acknowledged that while many operators comply with regulations, some are motivated purely by profit and fail to invest in maintaining their vehicles properly.
“Some of our guys are just here for the money. They don’t invest in their business. If you don’t service the very thing that brings food to your house, who will? It starts with small things like washing your vehicle every day. Then it becomes easier to replace tyres, fix wipers, repair brakes, and attend to everything that needs attention,” he said.
Authorities maintain that the crackdown will continue until full compliance is achieved. For parents across KwaZulu-Natal, the message is clear: the safety of schoolchildren is no longer negotiable.
