HIGHVELD – The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport have opened a case of intimidation at eMbalenhle police station after the scholar transport was prevented from operating by Vukanini Taxi Association.
The Department Spokesman, Mr David Nkambule said the matter is being investigated by the police and the department will continue to monitor the situation.
This is after eMdibini and Roodebank Combined School pupils were left stranded by the unavailability of scholar transport for three days last week.
Some of the pupils from eMdibini Combined School walked to school and returned home by bus.
“Only one bus arrived to take us to school,” said a pupil.
Some returned home and did not attend school.
Roodebank pupils from eMbalenhle did not go to school for two days.
Parents alleged that the Vukanini Taxi Association was the reason why pupils could not go to school.
“I saw a Vukta vehicle block the road so that buses could not pass on the morning of 14 January,” said a parent.
Some witnesses said the bus was escorted out of eMbalenhle by Vukta vehicles.
The chairman of Vukanini Taxi Association, Mr Fanyana Sibanyoni, said they blocked the buses because they were from other municipal areas.
He said there are buses from Piet Ritief and Ermelo who have sub contracts under Habana Trading, while the local people have buses but they are not being used.
“We are not fighting for the tenders, but we want Habana Trading to sub contract local people and use our local buses,” said Mr Sibanyoni.
He said the association met with the relevant stakeholders and there will be a follow-up meeting soon.
The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport said they were not aware of any meeting that was scheduled to resolve the matter.
The Department further mentioned that they have contracted Habana Trading to provide scholar transport at Roodebank PS and Emdibini Combined School.
“The contractor has always satisfied the terms and conditions of the contract which includes inter alia; ensuring that learners are transported safe and arrive on time at school.
“Over and above this, the department has also appointed independent monitors to ensure that contractors comply with the terms and conditions of the scholar transport contract,” said Mr Nkambule.
The Echo asked the department if the buses are inspected for road worthy and also to prevent overloading and they responded by saying Scholar Transport Inspectors inspect the road-worthiness of the buses on regular basis and further check whether pupils are transported safe and arrive at school on time.
Habana Trading was also asked to comment on the issue through emails and phone calls but was told that the person responsible for commenting, was not available.
