The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety (led by MEC Violet Mathye) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have intensified their crackdown on scholar transport due to a recent surge in fatal accidents, extreme vehicle overloading, and drunk driving incidents involving school children.
Several high-profile tragedies and shocking law enforcement discoveries have turned the regulation of the private scholar transport sector into an urgent, zero-tolerance priority.
Bakkie Crash Fatalities:
In July/August 2026, a 15-year-old Grade 11 learner was killed and 31 others were injured when an open Toyota Hilux bakkie transporting pupils lost control and overturned.
MEC Mathye strongly condemned the illegal and life-threatening practice of ferrying children in open trucks or bakkies.
Minibus Fire Tragedy:
In May 2026, two Grade R learners tragically burned to death beyond recognition when an overloaded minibus taxi carrying 22 pupils burst into flames on the Apel Cross-Tswaing road outside Lebowakgomo.
Dr some Operators: In another horrific crash, a 7-year-old learner died after a 31-year-old driver who was heavily intoxicated and drastically overloaded the vehicle overturned the transport.
Authorities have discovered that many private drivers operate completely outside the law. They frequently lack a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), operate without valid scholar transport licenses, and use vehicles that are mechanically unroadworthy and lack functional seatbelts.
Public Transport Unit has executed province-wide operations, resulting in over 70 scholar transport vehicles being impounded in targeted crackdowns across Polokwane, Thabazimbi, and Mankweng. Drivers are facing severe criminal charges including murder, culpable homicide, and driving under the influence.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
