The Greater Springs Scholar Transport Association held a mass prayer gathering on January 23 at the New Life Christian Fellowship in Springs for the 14 learners who passed in a tragic accident on January 19 in Vanderbijlpark.
Twelve learners died at the scene, and two learners succumbed to their injuries in the hospital on January 22.

The gathering was led by the association’s chairperson, Rev Piya Mbonani, and attended by various stakeholders, including the Springs Taxi Association, the EMPD, and community members.

Speaking to Springs Advertiser at the gathering, the association’s secretary, Kgomotso Kutumela, said the aim of the gathering was to pass condolences to families affected in Vanderbijlpark and to caution transport drivers to be careful when transporting school children daily.

She said that the gathering was also about showing support for the scholar association in Vanderbijlpark. She also said that the learners’ safety lies in the hands and care of the drivers.

“As an association, we have rules and regulations that our drivers follow, and we go to their parking spots and monitor the capacity and the vehicle check as well,” said Kutumela.

Kutumela shared that the association’s main concern is the overload of learners on the transport.

She has warned drivers to stop, adding that if a driver in the association is found with an overloaded vehicle, the first offence will result in a fine, and repeated offenders will have their membership terminated.

“The behaviour of drivers on the road must change, and they must be considerate in knowing that they carry innocent lives on the roads,” said the secretary.

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Kutumela advised parents to check with transport providers if they are affiliated with scholar transport associations in their areas, and not go for transport for the sake of the price, without knowing the schedule and capacity of the learners.

She also said children should speak up about the driver’s treatment towards them.

“We urge them to report to their parents if the drivers consume alcohol or ill-treat them. They must also say if they are overloaded in a vehicle,” she concluded.

To report unsafe scholar transport, contact 0861 400 800 or 012 999 5407. For more information about the local scholar transport association, contact 060 369 3624.