ACCIDENT EXPOSES DEEP SCHOLAR TRANSPORT FAILURES — NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT BACKS CONTRACT RESET AND STRICT SAFETY OVERHAUL

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile has expressed serious concern following the recent school bus accident involving learners in the Tswaing Local Municipality, noting that the incident reflects deeper systemic failures within the province’s scholar transport system.

The Committee notes the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management’s briefing last week following the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) report and its assurances regarding inspections, monitoring and enforcement. However, the Committee’s own oversight visit conducted two weeks ago in the Dr Ruth Mompati District revealed unroadworthy vehicles, weak operational controls and troubling gaps in accountability.

Hon Sonakile stated that the accident must be treated as a warning sign rather than an isolated incident.

“This accident is not an isolated event. It confirms what the Committee witnessed during oversight, that the rot in the scholar transport system runs deep and requires urgent structural correction,” said Hon Sonakile.

The Committee further raised concern that some findings during oversight point to possible departmental complicity in irregular practices, adding that any conduct of a criminal nature must be investigated and acted upon without delay.

In this context, the Committee supports the Department’s intention to terminate and restart the current scholar transport contract, but stresses that a simple change of operators will not be sufficient.

“We cannot solve a systemic safety problem by merely changing contractors. The entire contracting model, monitoring framework and accountability chain must be rebuilt to place learner safety at the centre,” Sonakile added.

The Committee emphasised that any new Service Level Agreements must include:
* Mandatory vetting of operators, subcontractors and all drivers
* Proper regulation of driver working conditions to prevent unsafe practices
* Uniform provincial safety and operational standards
* Strict departmental adherence to payment schedules
* Regular and independently verified roadworthy testing
* Automatic contract revocation for non-roadworthy vehicles
* Penalties for school principals or officials who authorise transport despite known non-compliance

“Learner transport is not just another government service, it is about the safety of children. Where vehicles are unsafe, contracts must fall. Where officials ignore non-compliance, accountability must follow,” said Sonakile.

The Committee will continue exercising strict oversight over the Department and all corrective processes to ensure that the scholar transport system is restored to a safe, lawful and fully accountable standard.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management – Hon Freddy Sonakile.
To arrange interviews with the Chairperson please contact Ms. Senzile Dabula on 079 879 1408