Allegations of unroadworthy and severely overloaded buses ferrying schoolchildren have sparked fierce backlash from parents in Mpumalanga.

Concerns centred on the Arnot and Hendrina areas came to a head last week after parents – speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation – blew the whistle on a vehicle operating under a newly awarded provincial transport contract that took effect on September 1.

The bus in question collects children from outlying farms near Arnot and navigates the D2274 (Arnot/Hendrina Road) to drop them off at several institutions, including Mphephethe Primary, Maziya Combined, Kwazamokuhle Secondary, Tsiki Naledi Primary, Alex Benjamin High and Hendrina Primary.

According to distraught parents, the vehicle is a rolling hazard. They claim the bus operates with cracked windows, non-functioning taillights, an exposed steering column and structural damage held together by plastic cable ties.

Parents further alleged that the bus overheats regularly, was crammed with up to 95 learners and was impounded by local traffic officers on Monday morning.

Desperate for action, parents submitted a formal letter of grievance detailing the dangerous conditions to the bus owner on Friday, September 11.

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Owner denies vehicle is unsafe

The bus owner, Lindokuhle Mahlangu of Nomzakhe Trading, strongly rejected the majority of the claims, denying that the vehicle is unsafe or that it was impounded.

“The bus was not impounded; it is roadworthy and only requires minor body fix-ups, which I plan to execute during the upcoming school holidays,” Mahlangu said.

“There are dents, but nothing major. The children have transport, and their safety has never been jeopardised.”

Mahlangu also disputed the 95-child headcount, though he conceded the bus was operating over capacity.”We are currently overloaded by only 10 kids – carrying 75 on a 65-seater bus,” he explained, citing confusion over farm routes.
“This happened because I was under the impression those learners were receiving transport from another service provider, which I am investigating. We have requested an official route description and schedule from the circuit office.

“Mahlangu urged concerned parents to engage with him directly to resolve their issues.

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Departments step in to resolve operational gaps

The outcry in the Highveld area mirrors broader teething issues across Mpumalanga after the September 1 roll-out of the new provincial scholar transport contract.

In response, the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, alongside the Department of Education, convened an urgent joint strategic meeting on Sunday.

Led by the respective MECs, Thulasizwe Thomo and Lindi Masina, officials acknowledged that while operations are running smoothly in most regions, critical gaps require immediate intervention.
The joint task team mandated officials to deploy directly to affected communities, liaise with service providers and resolve all outstanding operational grey areas before the end of the week.

In a statement, Thomo and Masina appealed for calm and constructive dialogue, cautioning against any disruptions or threats to transport services.

“The identified challenges must not be allowed to undermine the broader mission of ensuring quality education,” the statement read.

“The safety and well-being of learners remain paramount. Challenges will be addressed in pursuit of solutions, and the interests of our learners will remain at the centre of everything we do.”