Gauteng Education Transport Service urges parents to prioritise safety over cost following fatal crash

The Gauteng Education Transport Service is urging parents to stop choosing cheaper scholar transport options at the expense of their children’s safety.

The call comes as families and friends gather in Sebokeng this afternoon for a joint memorial service to mourn the 14 learners who died in a scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark earlier this week. Twelve pupils were killed at the scene, while two others later died in hospital.

According to police, the driver attempted to overtake several vehicles before colliding with a side-tipper truck. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for tighter regulation and oversight of the scholar transport sector.

The driver of the minibus taxi has since been arrested and charged with 14 counts of murder.

Addressing mourners at Friday’s memorial, Gauteng Education Transport Services official Phelane Ramarutsi urged parents to carefully vet the vehicles transporting their children.

“Stop putting your children in the back of a bakkie or a scholar transport vehicle. You are treating your child as luggage. Stop trying to save money by sacrificing your child’s life.”