'Deeply concerning' violations flagged as Western Cape intensifies scholar transport crackdown
The Western Cape Government has intensified enforcement against unsafe scholar transport after a deadly crash in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, reignited concerns about the safety of learners who rely on daily transport to and from school.
Since schools reopened on January 14, Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement, working with municipal traffic services, has ramped up operations across the province, uncovering “deeply concerning levels of non-compliance” in the sector.
Between January 14 and 23, officers conducted 45 integrated operations, stopping more than 1,600 vehicles. In that period, 1,250 fines totalling over R580,000 were issued, 46 vehicles were impounded, and 23 unroadworthy vehicles, many carrying learners, were taken off the road.
Three drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, including one who registered a reading of 0.68 mg/l. A further 109 fines were issued for public-transport-related offences alone.
Western Cape Mobility spokesperson Muneera Allie said the Vanderbijlpark crash had underscored the urgency of tougher action.
“The tragic scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, has once again highlighted the urgent need to strengthen safety measures for learners who depend on daily transport to and from school,” she said.
Authorities flagged widespread overloading, unroadworthy vehicles, drivers under the influence and operators deliberately diverting from known enforcement routes.
Unregulated, peak-hour-only operations were identified as the greatest risk because they are harder to track and frequently flout licensing and safety requirements.
Mobility Minister Sileku said the province had strengthened enforcement during the busiest travel windows, 6am to 8am and 1pm to 3pm, with a focus on overloading, seatbelt use, driver fitness, vehicle roadworthiness and valid operating licences.
“Our foremost concern is the safety of every learner who depends on transport to get to and from school each day,” Sileku said.
“However, government alone cannot ensure the safety of scholars. We need transport operators, parents, and guardians to take bold and proactive steps to protect the lives of our learners.”
Targeted interventions include intensified monitoring on high-risk routes, increased oversight at known loading points and enhanced intelligence-sharing with the Western Cape Education Department and municipal partners.
The department has issued a firm warning to operator.
“Keep vehicles roadworthy or don’t operate, no driving under the influence, ever, zero tolerance, zero excuses. Don’t overload, one extra passenger can cost a life. Stay legal. All licences and permits must be valid, always.”
Parents and guardians are also urged to play an active role.
“Choosing lawful, compliant transport significantly reduces the space in which dangerous and unregulated operators continue to operate,” Allie said.
Families are encouraged to verify vehicle roadworthiness, ensure drivers are properly licensed and sober, avoid overloaded arrangements and report illegal or unsafe operations.
With enforcement stepped up and partnerships strengthened, the province says it will continue to clamp down on repeat offenders and unroadworthy vehicles to ensure every learner gets to school and home safely.
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