Gauteng Transport MEC stands Firm on scholar permits following Vanderbijlpark tragedy

The Gauteng Transport Department has defended strict permit requirements for scholar transport operators, saying the rules are necessary to protect children and prevent abuse in  the system

Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has urged operators who have not applied for permits to follow official processes

The province has ramped up its drive to deal with scholar transport operators who are guilty of driving without permits and other road violations.

On Wedenesday 34 scholar transport vehicles were impounded because of non-compliance

This comes after an accident that claimed the lives of 14 children in Vanderbijlpark, police say the driver did not have a valid permit.

Diale-tlabela says her department will not back down

"It's time we redeem ourselves. Let's stop hiding behind poverty. There's no poverty that will compel us to do wrong things that I cannot afford or I'm putting bread on the table. Put bread on the table in a credible way. Don't put others' lives in danger. You are not like taxis, you are not like buses, you are driving children’s lives."