Scholar transport in focus as schools reopen
To combat the alarming number of road accidents that have claimed the lives of pupils and left others injured, the KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements departments have implemented crucial measures as schools reopened yesterday.
Transport MEC Siboniso Duma also expressed concerns over prolonged rainfall, which he attributed as a significant factor contributing to the rise in road fatalities and accidents.
On Tuesday, Mr Duma took decisive action by deploying a team of examiners to inspect buses used for scholar transport.
The team conducted inspections at a bus company located on Herschensonn Road in Plessislaer, among others.
“We are guided by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) applicable standards — SANS 10047 on the testing of vehicles for roadworthiness,” said Mr Duma.
“For scholar transport, we allocated R278.4 million, covering 402 schools and benefiting more than 74 731 pupils. Additionally, we have distributed over 16 000 bicycles.”
While Mr Duma expressed satisfaction with the state of readiness and the condition of the inspected fleet, he said there was a continued need for vigilance.
“The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and other law enforcement agencies across the province have been mandated to conduct spot checks. Furthermore, our RTI team will conduct additional inspections at over 26 satellite stations.”
The bus company’s representative, Yamkela Mnukwa, reported that their fleet of 32 vehicles — including 21 buses and 11 taxis — serves schools in the uMgungundlovu District.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport portfolio chairperson, Mncedisi Maphisa, said the department as committed to longstanding efforts to enhance scholar transport safety. “We raised the alarm last year for thorough inspections of all vehicles involved in transporting pupils. A second phase of inspections was recommended for early January to ensure roadworthiness. The service-level agreements between the department and service providers must be strengthened, with strict consequences for rule violations. The department must also be held accountable if pupil safety is compromised,” said Mr Maphisa.
Recent incidents underscore the urgency of these measures. Last year, accidents across the province, including in Pietermaritzburg, resulted in fatalities and severe injuries among pupils. In October, a devastating head-on collision on the N2 highway between a truck and a minibus taxi carrying schoolchildren, left eight people dead, including seven pupils.
Democratic Alliance Transport portfolio member, Riona Gokool, pointed to systemic issues impacting road safety. “The state of roads and the presence of inexperienced drivers, some of whom obtain licenses through bribery, exacerbate the problem. The Transport and Education departments must collaborate to improve school transportation systems. Inspections should extend beyond buses to include all vehicles used for scholar transport,” she said.
