SAHRC exposes deep-rooted failures in North West scholar transport

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) exposed deep-rooted institutional failures in the North West scholar transport programme on Monday, citing weak oversight, poor enforcement, and governance lapses across several government departments.

The commission undertook a multi-pronged investigation last year following reports of safety failures within the province’s scholar transport system.

Commissioner Nomahlubi Khwinana, who delivered the findings, singled out the departments of community safety and transport, as well as the North West Department of Education, for jointly failing to carry out their responsibilities.

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The province's treasury department was also criticised, with Khwinana saying it failed to provide adequate financial oversight.

"Weak oversight and enforcement mechanisms have resulted in non-compliant service providers operating without consequences," Khwinana said. "There have also been corruption and procurement irregularities, including misrepresentation by service providers and failures in contract management. Budgetary constraints and payment failures, including delayed or non-payment of service providers, directly undermine service delivery and safety compliance."