Transport Department to review scholar transport strategy

According to a report by Statistics South Africa, some 800 children were killed in scholar transport between 2018 and 2022.

Recently, 11 pupils died when their scholar transport caught fire in Carletonville following a collision with another car.

Department spokesperson Collen Misbi said there are over 12 million people with driver's licences and just over 220,000 traffic officers.

The disparity means there needs to be more officials to inspect whether cars are roadworthy.

“There is a balance that needs to be done because we are unable to police every car that you see on the road. So we need to look at strategies we can use to uproot road unworthy scholar transport.”

Msibi said Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa will lead a review of the government’s scholar transport strategy, which is set to prioritise the inspection of private scholar transport vehicles

“There are fewer accidents in government subsidised transport as compared to private transport. As a result, the department will be working with the provincial government as well as municipalities to look into how we will dedicate resources.”

Msbibi added that part of the strategy would be unannounced inspection visits targeting scholar transport companies. 

Vehicles found to be unroadworthy will be taken off the road, and the Road Traffic Act will also be used to penalise those who disregard the rules of the road

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