'No compromise on safety’: Mpumalanga MEC issues warning to scholar transport operators

Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, has urged scholar transport operators in the province to ensure their vehicles are fully roadworthy and compliant with all legal requirements before schools reopen next week.

His appeal comes as thousands of learners are expected to return to school on January 14.

Several learners have lost their lives over the years while travelling to and from school due to unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, and road crashes.

Thomo emphasised that learner safety must remain a top priority for all operators providing scholar transport services.

“We are appealing to all scholar transport operators to take full responsibility for the safety of learners by ensuring their vehicles are mechanically sound, properly licensed and driven by qualified, sober and responsible drivers,” he said.

He added that vehicles transporting learners must undergo thorough inspections, including checks on brakes, tyres and steering systems, in line with the National Road Traffic Act and relevant regulations.

Thomo further warned that the Transport Inspectorate will intensify compliance monitoring of scholar transport vehicles across the province.

“Operators found contravening the law will face decisive action, including fines, impoundment of vehicles and possible suspension of operating permits,” he said.

“We will not hesitate to act against operators who put the lives of our children at risk. Learners deserve to be transported in safe and reliable vehicles every day.”

The department also called on parents, school management and community members to report unsafe scholar transport vehicles to the authorities.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.ca

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