Unsafe scholar transport in Gauteng to be impounded

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has warned the scholar transport operators, as schools reopen this week, that unroadworthy vehicles and those operating without valid permits will be impounded immediately.
Roads and transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the safety of learners travelling to and from school is non-negotiable, and the government will not tolerate operators who place children’s lives at risk.
“For the next nine months, millions of children will depend on drivers to get them to school safely. Every time a child gets into a vehicle or walks near a road, their life is in someone else’s hands. We will not allow unroadworthy vehicles or unlicensed operators to transport our children,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
The department stated that from this week, intensive scholar transport inspections will be conducted at schools, along transport routes, and during peak travel times.

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Vehicles found to be unroadworthy or operating without the required permits will be impounded on the spot, while drivers without valid licences will be arrested.
Diale-Tlabela also called on parents to play an active role in protecting their children by refusing to pay for unsafe transport.
She said that parents have power, and their money gives them a voice.
She added that parents should not pay for transport in a vehicle that doesn’t have proper seating for every child, working seatbelts, or is visibly unroadworthy and should report unsafe vehicles to the department.
All scholar transport vehicles must:
• Have a valid licence disc and roadworthy certificate
• Be driven by a person with a valid driving licence
• Have proper, fixed seating for every child
• Have functioning seatbelts for all passengers
• Not be overloaded beyond licensed capacity
• Be free of critical defects (including brakes, tyres, lights, and windscreen)

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Diale-Tlabela also appealed to all motorists to exercise extra caution near schools and scholar transport vehicles.
“You might not have children in your car, but you share the road with them. That child crossing the road could be distracted or running late. You’re the adult in control of a ton of metal. The responsibility to watch out for them is yours,” she said.
Scholar transport safety remains a key priority in the Service Delivery Agreement signed between MEC Diale-Tlabela and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
Diale-Tlabela concluded by saying that the department is committed to ensuring safe roads for every Gauteng learner.
“Government is doing its part through enforcement. Now we need every driver, every parent, and every operator to do theirs. E Thoma Ka Wena — It Starts With You,” the MEC said.
To report unsafe scholar transport, call 0861 400 800 or 012 999 5407.