President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern following a deadly learner transport crash in Gauteng this morning, saying the tragedy highlights persistent safety failures within learner transport systems across the country.
At least 13 learners were killed and two others injured when their vehicle collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark. The devastating incident has left families, schools, and communities in mourning.
The crash occurred on the same day the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a report exposing serious shortcomings in learner transport safety in the North West, drawing renewed attention to systemic failures in scholar transport programmes.
Ramaphosa described the loss of young lives as devastating and stressed the urgent need for decisive action to ensure learner transport services comply with required safety regulations.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed government’s commitment to addressing weaknesses in oversight and enforcement to prevent similar tragedies.
“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets, and we must do all we can, from observing the rules of the road to ensuring the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars to protect learners.”
Meanwhile, the SAHRC revealed deep institutional shortcomings in the North West scholar transport programme following a comprehensive investigation conducted last year. The multi-pronged probe was launched after repeated reports of safety failures raised serious concerns about the wellbeing of learners who depend on scholar transport to access education.
Presenting the findings earlier today, SAHRC Commissioner Nomahlubi Khwinana pointed to weak oversight, poor enforcement of regulations, and widespread governance lapses as key contributors to the crisis. She cited a collective failure by the North West departments of Community Safety and Transport, along with the Department of Education, to fulfil their mandated responsibilities.
“Weak oversight and enforcement mechanisms have resulted in non-compliant service providers operating without consequences. There have also been corruption and procurement irregularities, including misrepresentation by service providers and failures in contract management.”
According to the commission, the lack of effective monitoring and coordination between departments has allowed serious safety risks to persist, placing learners in danger and undermining their constitutional rights to safety and education.
The SAHRC further warned that unroadworthy and unsafe vehicles, described by affected communities as “coffins” continue to be used.
“These vehicles reportedly suffer from severe mechanical defects, expired licence discs, fuel leaks, and a lack of basic safety features. Chronic overloading, far exceeding approved passenger capacity, was also identified as a major contributor to accidents and injuries.”
Following the Gauteng crash, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the scene to assess the situation, offer support to affected families, and engage with emergency services.
“It really is a tragic day for us as the department and the province. We extend our deepest condolences to the learners, families, and school communities affected. We call for greater vigilance when it comes to scholar transport, particularly private scholar transport.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that an investigation is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
