KwaZulu-Natal: A total of 47 scholar transport operators have been removed from KwaZulu-Natal roads and prevented from transporting learners on the first day of the 2025 academic year. This action comes as their vehicles were declared unroadworthy ahead of the start of the academic year on Wednesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, this decision followed an inspection of 245 buses and minibuses that provide scholar transport to 77,369 learners, who are expected to walk more than three kilometers to 433 schools in the province. KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma led a team of examiners who inspected the vehicles for roadworthiness and compliance. During the inspection on Tuesday, issues related to steering, brakes, and suspension were identified, leading to the removal of the 47 vehicles from operation.
Duma stated that more law enforcement operations and inspections of scholar transport will be conducted by a team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate in over 26 satellite stations. Reflecting on past initiatives, Duma highlighted that during the festive season, a road safety operation was successfully rolled out, ensuring law enforcement and the visibility of officers. The aim is to maintain this visibility as schools reopen to ensure the safety of future leaders.
The MEC also noted that many communities have faced challenges due to damaged road infrastructure, bridges, and human settlements following prolonged heavy rainfall that began on 31 December 2024. Despite limited resources, the department is working to improve the situation. Duma mentioned that teams from both departments are assessing damage and verifying affected families. The goal is to secure more funding to provide scholar transport to over 157,538 learners on the waiting list, with the budget required estimated at R1.6 billion.