Johannesburg: Government is working on reviewing legislation governing scholar transport with a view to make the sector safer and more secure for learners. This initiative comes in the wake of a horrific accident that claimed the lives of 12 children on Monday. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the government's commitment to revisiting existing regulations during a media briefing held on Tuesday afternoon.
According to South African Government News Agency, Premier Lesufi highlighted the urgent need for legislative reform in response to the tragedy, where a taxi carrying schoolchildren collided with an oncoming truck. "An incident of this magnitude calls for a review of some of our legislation, regulations, and the support system in this sector," Lesufi stated. He further mentioned that the MECs responsible for transport and education have been tasked with developing proposals to enhance safety within the sector. The Premier extended condolences to the affected families and wished a speedy recovery for those still hospitalized.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, also present at the briefing, emphasized the scale of scholar transport, noting that hundreds of thousands of children rely on government-sanctioned services daily. She acknowledged the collaboration between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Transport to improve regulation. Minister Gwarube pointed out the prevalence of driver error as a major factor in road incidents and stressed the necessity of adhering to traffic rules to prevent future tragedies.
Support for the grieving families has been a collective effort, involving government, local communities, and the private sector. Minister Gwarube assured that psycho-social support is being provided not only to the families but also to the schools and communities affected by the incident. "We are a sector in absolute mourning," she stated, emphasizing the united support extended to those impacted by the loss.
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old taxi driver involved in the accident has been arrested and charged with 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless driving. The driver, found to have been operating with an expired professional driving permit, will soon appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court. Police confirmed the tragic death toll and reported that five injured individuals were hospitalized, with one subsequently discharged.