This will help regulate and boost scholar transport safety in the province following an accident across the Vaal River in Vanderbijlpark, which led to the death of 14 learners. The app has been in use since Wednesday, 14 January.

The Free State department of education, in collaboration with the department of community safety, roads, and transport, said it is intensifying efforts to protect students traveling to and from school, as concerns about learner transit safety continue to dominate the national discourse. The province has not recorded any scholar transport accidents over the last three quarters, a milestone attributed to strengthened safety oversight and stricter compliance measures.

“The department has implemented measures to monitor and enforce compliance amongst scholar transport operators,” said Free State education department spokesperson Howard Ndaba. “Measures in place include electronic monitoring, which was introduced in October 2025.”

“All principals and district officials were trained and made aware of how to identify vehicles and drivers not complying with legislation, such as expired licences and licence discs. They are also able to report vehicles that are not in good condition through the app, supported by photographic evidence.”

In terms of enforcement, the transports are being regularly checked by our circuit managers and district officials. We have planned meetings with the departments of community safety and roads and transport to boost safety measures, he said.

‘The department is committed to maintaining safe and reliable learner transport’

In November last year, the department issued a circular to all schools and transport operators outlining compliance requirements under the South African Schools Act and the National Land Transport Act.

Operators were given until the end of November to submit all required documentation. After the deadline, no unverified driver or non-compliant vehicle was permitted to transport learners in the province.

Valid roadworthy certificates

The circular from the department also stated that non-compliance could result in disciplinary action, exclusion from learner transport routes, or legal penalties. Vehicles were required to have valid roadworthy certificates, drivers to hold professional driving permits, and operators to possess valid operating permits.

“The department is committed to maintaining a safe and reliable learner transport system,” said Ndaba. “With no accidents reported in the last three quarters, these measures are yielding positive results.”

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh