Gauteng Education MEC announces special task team following tragic scholar transport crash

The Gauteng Education Department has announced the formation of a special scholar transport task team, which is set to begin its work next week.

The announcement was made on Friday afternoon during a memorial service for 14 learners who died in a horror crash in Vanderbijlpark.

READ: Sedibeng District Municipality demands stricter scholar transport regulations following tragedy

The driver of the minibus taxi involved has since been arrested and faces 14 counts of murder. As the legal process begins, bereaved families continue to struggle with the aftermath of their tragic loss.

Since Monday’s crash, politicians have promised stronger regulation and stricter enforcement within the scholar transport sector.

This follows a surprise blitz conducted by the Transport Department on Thursday, which resulted in the impounding of over 60 unroadworthy minibus taxis and the arrest of two drivers.

For many parents, however, these actions are seen as a late response to a long-standing issue. At the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex in Sebokeng, where families gathered to mourn, many lamented what they described as government inaction.

In an attempt to reassure the public, Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the new task team would work in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport to fast-track safety reforms.

“So these regulations, we have set up a task team with the Minister of Transport; the team will start sitting from next week [to] finalise these. So that we move quickly and begin to work and implement,” said Chiloane.

According to the MEC, the team will focus on several new measures, including:

Mandatory advanced driving lessons for all scholar transport providers.

Revised speed limits specifically for vehicles transporting learners.

General systemic reforms to ensure vehicle roadworthiness.