The Greater Metro Learner Transport Association held a prayer day at Roodepoort City Hall to mainly ask for divine intervention and protection over school learners.

According to Happy Dhlamini, a training officer at the organisation, this prayer day follows many deaths and injuries of learners in scholar transports and schools as a whole.

The prayer day, held on February 12, was well-attended by community members, scholar transport drivers, guest speakers, and members of the association.

“We felt it was necessary to hold this prayer meeting after that tragedy of 14 learners in Vaal, as we are one of them. We are also asking for guidance, wisdom, and protection over ourselves and learners,” she said.

Dhlamini, who has been in the industry for over 30 years, has raised an alarm and encouraged fellow drivers to adhere to road rules and exercise caution on the roads. She also urged them to avoid overloading learners to maximise business responsibility.

Additionally, Dhlamini called on relevant departments to establish a structured framework for overseeing and managing scholar transport drivers.

“The government must regulate this industry to bring about order,” she emphasised. “It appears that individuals who are unemployed or have acquired a vehicle are resorting to becoming scholar transport drivers without undergoing proper vetting or following the necessary procedures,” she concluded.

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