Ramaphosa calls for action on scholar transport as KZN strengthens legislation

IN THE wake of a devastating scholar transport crash, President Cyril Ramaphosa has tasked the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and other relevant stakeholders to look into ways of preventing further loss of life.

- THAMI MAGUBANE and SIYABONGA SITHOLE

This comes as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport moves swiftly to strengthen legislation governing scholar transport in an effort to curb accidents that have claimed the lives of pupils. The legislation will be enhanced to ensure, among other conditions, driver vetting and vehicle standards.

Scholar transport is in the spotlight after another accident in Gauteng claimed the lives of 12 learners on their way to school. It is suspected that the vehicle had been overloaded at the time. Last year, three pupils died while on their way to school when the brakes of their transport failed, and the vehicle crashed into a barrier.

Ramaphosa was speaking during his keynote address at the three-day 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla, held at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg yesterday.

“We need to act now, and we need to act together to ensure that scholar transport is safe and reliable, and accept that young lives are put at risk as they seek the growth and enrichment that education provides,” he urged.