Calls for urgent accountability are growing following a tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark that claimed the lives of 12 learners, with one still unidentified.
Reports indicate that a minibus transporting learners from Sebokeng to schools in Vanderbijlpark attempted to overtake multiple vehicles before colliding head-on with an oncoming truck.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called for a thorough investigation into the accident.
“This reckless sequence of events resulted in a devastating loss of young lives and has left families and communities shattered,” the party said.
“The IFP urges law enforcement authorities to establish, without delay, whether the minibus was roadworthy, legally compliant, and fit to transport learners, including whether it adhered to all traffic and transport regulations. This tragic incident undermines progress made by law enforcement agencies in reducing road fatalities and exposes persistent failures in transport safety, compliance, and enforcement. Most accidents of this nature are preventable and point to systemic weaknesses which demand decisive action.”
BOSA MPL Ayanda Allie also urged the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, to investigate the circumstances.
“The provincial government needs to establish whether the vehicle was roadworthy and legal, whether the driver was properly licensed, and whether all scholar transport safety regulations were adhered to,” Allie said.
“Parents entrust the state and service providers with the safety of their children every single day and deserve that at the very least. This loss demands urgent intervention to strengthen oversight, enforcement, and standards across the scholar transport system.”
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos said learners must remain a main prority detailing that all circumstances must be fully examined to provide families with answers.
“The loss of young lives in this manner is heartbreaking. We will also keep the injured learners in our thoughts and wish them a full and speedy recovery. Learner safety must remain a top priority. A DA-led provincial government would ensure that all scholar transport drivers are properly vetted and have the necessary documentation to transport learners to and from school,” he said.
The tragedy also highlights ongoing concerns from the Freedom Front Plus, which called on parents to know who transports their children and for traffic authorities to enforce safety rules.
“Traffic officers should ensure taxis transporting children are not overloaded and vehicles are roadworthy,” the party said.
The National Teachers’ Union (NATU) called for stricter learner transport safety measures.
“The National Teachers’ Union calls on law enforcement and relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this accident to ensure accountability. We stand in solidarity with the affected families and the broader Vaal community as the nation mourns this devastating loss,” NATU said.
Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said, “He attempted to overtake and did not see that a truck was coming. When he tried to move back into the left lane, he crashed,” Maremane said.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department is expected to visit the families this afternoon.
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Saturday Star