A scholar transport bus is inspected by Road Traffic Inspectorate officials in KwaZulu-Natal. In the aftermath of a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark that claimed 14 lives, the Department of Transport has called onparents to play a more decisive rolein preventing further tragedies, warning that many learner transport risks are avoidable if basic safety rules are enforced. Fourteen pupils died in a crash in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal,which took place on Monday.
The scholar transport minibus they were travelling in veered onto the oncoming lane and crashed into a tipper truck. The minibus driver Ayanda Dludla is facing charges of murder. In guidance issued following the accident, the Department said that choosing safe scholar transport is a shared responsibility, stressing that parents have a central role in ensuring that children are not exposed to illegal or unsafe transport.
“Parents play a critical role in protecting learners by insisting on legality, safety, and accountability,” the Department said, adding that parents should only make use of registered and permitted scholar transport operators. The Department urged parents to verify operating licences through the Provincial Regulator Entity and to ensure that passenger liability insurance is in place. It warned that overloading remains one of the most dangerous practices in learner transport, as it compromises a vehicle’s braking ability and overall stability in emergencies.
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Parents were also reminded to avoid unroadworthy and unregistered vehicles by checking that roadworthiness certificates and licence discs are valid and up to date. According to the Department, these must be renewed annually for minibus taxis and every two years for buses. “Unroadworthy vehicles can often be identified through visual inspection,” the Department said, pointing to hazards such as structural damage, worn tyres, cracked windscreens that limit driver visibility, broken wipers, loose interior fittings, and faulty doors.
The Department said parents should not feel pressured into accepting unsafe transport arrangements, emphasising that “parents must not be afraid to refuse transport that does not comply with basic safety standards,” even if it means seeking alternative transport options. Driver compliance was highlighted as another critical safety factor. The Department said parents must ensure that drivers hold a valid driving licence endorsed with a Professional Driving Permit for passenger transport, noting that permit holders must be 21 years or older and fit to drive. “Parents should make sure that the driver is not intoxicated and is not showing signs of fatigue or distress,” the Department said, adding that scholar transport drivers are expected to obey traffic laws and speed limits at all times.
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