LIMPOPO – Concerns over unroadworthy vehicles and the overloading of learners were raised at a provincial Scholar Transport Public Inquiry on Tuesday (August 11), as the Department of Transport and Community Safety faces renewed scrutiny following a string of fatal scholar transport crashes in Limpopo this year.

A year of fatal crashes

The enquiry comes less than two weeks after a 15-year-old learner died in Dididi Village, Vhembe District, on July 30, when a bakkie transporting learners overturned. Twelve other learners, including the driver, sustained critical injuries, and thirteen more were injured.

ALSO READ: Learner (15) killed in Vhembe bakkie crash

MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye condemned the use of bakkies to transport learners in the wake of the crash, saying only registered buses and midi-buses with valid operating licences and roadworthy certification may legally be used.

It followed an earlier tragedy in Sekhukhune, in which two learners died and seven others were injured when a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi transporting them from Mannyetha Primary School caught fire on the gravel road D4246, between Apel and Ga-Nkoana towards Dithabaneng village in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. The driver was arrested, and police investigations were continuing.

FULL STORY: Two children die in Limpopo scholar transport taxi fire

Enforcement drive under way

The crashes have prompted repeated enforcement operations across Limpopo.

Mathye led a major compliance operation in Polokwane in January as part of a “Safer Back to School” campaign, resulting in the impoundment of 24 scholar transport vehicles – including 20 minibuses, four seven-seaters and one discontinued vehicle – along with a summons issued for illegally conveying people in a light delivery vehicle.

Mathye said the operation had forced some learners to walk long distances after non-compliant operators avoided the checkpoints, and urged parents to ensure their children were transported in compliant vehicles.

Scholar transport vehicles have also been repeatedly impounded across the province in recent months, including several at the Polokwane station in February for operating without permits, and 11 more in Ladanna, Polokwane, for failing to meet permit, roadworthiness and safety requirements. Department spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said at the time that the safety of learners is not negotiable.

Operators were given a 60-day window from February 16 to regularise operating licences, though some, including the Limpopo Scholar Transport Alliance and Moletjie Scholar Transport Cooperative, later marched to the department’s offices over vehicles allegedly being impounded despite meeting roadworthy conditions.

MORE ABOUT THIS: Limpopo scholar transport given 60-day licence deadline

Fee increases of nearly 50% by some operators followed, which the alliance attributed to rising licensing, insurance and fuel costs.

READ MORE: Limpopo scholar transport fees up nearly 50%

Enquiry hears renewed concerns

At Tuesday’s sitting, convened by the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Community Safety under chairperson Kedibone Lebea, stakeholders – including the Scholar Transport Alliance, Santaco, the South African Human Rights Commission and school governing bodies – again raised concerns over unroadworthy vehicles and overloading, and called for follow-up sessions to track progress.

Mathye, joined by MEC for Treasury Kgabo Mahoai, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to safe and reliable transport for learners.

To report unsafe scholar transport or traffic emergencies: Traffic Emergency 0800 006 694, SAPS 10111, Emergency Medical Services 112.