The KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements has launched an investigation after a school pupil was caught on video driving a minibus taxi, full of other children, to school in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, this morning.

The footage, captured by a concerned community member and brought to the department’s attention by The Witness, shows the pupil behind the wheel, dropping off learners outside a local school.

MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, says the department’s Road Traffic Inspectorate team has been tasked with establishing whether the taxi belongs to a service provider contracted for scholar transport.

“There will be severe consequences for the owner of the minibus taxi for allowing an underage and unlicensed driver to transport learners to school.”

He stressed that underage driving is both illegal and dangerous.

“Our figures on road accidents and fatalities indicate that teenagers are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. They are also more likely to speed, run red lights, and drive under the influence of alcohol.

“On a monthly basis, we have witnessed underage drivers causing accidents, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights between 21:00 and 06:00.”

The MEC reiterated the department’s zero-tolerance stance on underage driving, warning that those responsible will be held accountable.

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