Parents and guardians are encouraged to contribute to the safety of learners by reporting instances of reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and noncompliant transport operators to the relevant authorities. The Gauteng department of transport urged the public to report any unsafe scholar transport conditions to the hotline numbers.

Gauteng roads and transport MEC Kedibone Diale Tlabela urged all scholar transport drivers to prioritise the safety of children by refraining from operating unroadworthy vehicles, making sure they are adhering to traffic laws, and avoiding the overloading of vehicles.

Last Monday (19/1), 14 learners from various primary and secondary schools in the Vaal Triangle were travelling in a Toyota Quantum when the vehicle collided with a truck. 

Eleven learners died on the scene when the minibus that was transporting them to school collided with a side tipper truck, causing it to veer off the R553. Three more succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

“This message is to scholar transport operators. We are saying to you that it’s quite important to ensure compliance,” said Tlabela. 

“Ensure that your vehicles are roadworthy, ensure that your drivers are compliant, and have all the licences. We are saying to those who continue to commit illegal activities when it comes to transporting kids, overloading them, and thinking that it’s about your profit. 

“Please stop doing it. We are coming for you.

“My message to parents is let’s vet who we get into business with. Our children’s lives are precious; they are the future of this country. 

“Let’s make sure that we procure services from credible individuals who are properly licensed so you can transport your kids safely home,” she said.

Meanwhile, the case of the minibus taxi driver Ayanda Dludla, 22, was postponed to Thursday, 5 March at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court. 

He is facing 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of driving without a professional driving permit and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle.

At the joint funeral service on Sunday (25/1), minister in the presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, said where the law demands accountability, it must be met, where recklessness is proven, it must be named, and justice must prevail.

“We are a society that also believes in rehabilitation and behaviour modification. 

“If there is a part that prevents another young person from repeating this harm through treatment, education, mentorship, and structured intervention, we must build it.”

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh