Deadly Vanderbijlpark crash puts Gauteng scholar transport permits in the spotlight

Scholar transport safety has been in the spotlight following the deadlu minibus accident that claimed 14 lives in Vanderbijlpark earlier this month. 

While law enforcement has been cracking down on offenders, Secretary for the Gauteng Education Transport Services, Phelane Ramarutsi, said the Department of Transport is not doing its part to deal with the backlog of driving permits.

He added that it is important to address these issues to ensure the safety of learners and prevent further accidents.

“We applied [for licenses] in larger numbers as operators, but in terms of the red tape and requirements by the Department, they were unable to issue operating licenses.

“We don’t condone the unroadworthiness, we condemn it with the strongest action because the safety of learners to school is very important. We are parents as we are driving learners to school.”

RELATED: Gauteng Transport Dept tests scholar transport vehicles, finds almost all non-compliant

Spokesperson for the Gauteng MEC of Roads and Transport, Lesiba Mpya, objected, saying there is no backlog of scholar transport permits. 

“We have a population of about 11,700 scholar transport vehicles in the province… the applications in the system are 1,576, which simply tells you there is a huge chasm of operators not coming forth and applying at the relevant authority.

He explained that the process takes up to 90 days from application to receipt.

In addition to the application and R600, drivers must submit valid vehicle documents, a roadworthy test, a valid driver’s license, a valid professional driver's permit and a route plan.

“Unfortunately, it might be tedious, but it is information that, as the Department of Transport, we insist on having. Part of what has not been coming forth is liability indemnity insurance, coming from the operators of scholar transport. We have got to have it in case of an incident,” he said.  

Matakanye Matakanye, Secretary General of the National School of Governing Bodies, said a policy is in the works that brings parents, the community, the Department and transport associations together to act effectively and efficiently. 

“These children are ours, and I am disturbed that adults are debating the issues whereas our children are dying in the street.”

RELATED: NPO urges overhaul of National Traffic Act after Vanderbijlpark learner tragedy

For more details, listen to the interview using the audio player below: