With the 2025 school year approaching, the Gauteng government is making it clear that scholar transport operators must comply with operating licensing regulations or face severe legal consequences.
Gauteng’s Roads and Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has issued a strong warning to all school transport owners and vehicle drivers, urging them to adhere to legal requirements ahead of the re-opening of coastal and inland schools. The warning comes in the wake of safety concerns, especially given the rise in school transport accidents in recent years, which have tragically resulted in the deaths of learners and community members.
In a statement, Diale-Tlabela emphasized that the government’s priority is to protect the lives of children traveling to and from school. “Our priority is to save lives in the learner transport system,” she said. The MEC clarified that any transport operator without a valid operating license would be prohibited from transporting learners, and their vehicles may face fines or impoundment.
The warning extends to school transport drivers as well, as the department has informed all operators through their respective associations that vehicles must be roadworthy. Traffic law enforcement will conduct routine checks, and those found non-compliant will face strict penalties.
This crackdown on unlicensed and unsafe transport vehicles follows several fatal incidents in Gauteng and other provinces, where unroadworthy vehicles and inexperienced drivers contributed to deadly accidents. Diale-Tlabela’s office reiterated that safety measures must be a priority as learners return to school, noting that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of every child on the road.
Additionally, in Mpumalanga, the Department of Education echoed similar concerns, with Public Works, Roads, and Transport MEC Thulasizwe Thomo calling on all transport owners to ensure that their vehicles meet road safety standards. “Roadworthy vehicles are not just a legal requirement; they are crucial for safeguarding the lives of our children,” Thomo stressed.
As the new school term begins, both provincial governments are making it clear that they will enforce these safety regulations to protect the lives of students, with harsh consequences for those who fail to comply.
