Ensuring learner safety: The challenges of scholar transport in Kraaifontein

Gavin Riddles, deputy chairperson of Kraaifontein Community Police Forum (CPF)

Scholar Transport has become an essential service for many partners and sometimes a desperate one, ending up relying on anyone with anything available, which includes unfit and not roadworthy bakkies.

On a daily basis, learners sit crammed up like sardines in these vehicles that are, in many cases, being driven recklessly by drivers.

It's a situation and issue waiting for something serious to happen, such as the recent accident where 14 learners lost their lives in Gauteng when transported by an unfit driver and not fit vehicle.

Kraaifontein is one of the areas where this is a significant concern. This is due to several incidents where scholar transport was involved in accidents that were not even reported. There is no strict enforcement to prevent this.

There are operators who are trying their utmost to keep their vehicles in good condition and adhere to the rules of the road. Others are just doing things the way they think it's okay to do.

Lawlessness is at the centre of this issue. Sometimes chaos is created by blocking roadways in parking lots without consideration of other road users.

During this period, finding alternative routes is the best option. It cannot be acceptable, and we want urgent engagement pertaining to this matter.

The newly deployed Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) in all wards are not really impacting as they do their own things without collaboration with other stakeholders or the local CPF.

Let's prevent an incident before it happens.

• Muneera Allie, spokesperson for the Western Cape Mobility Department, said that since schools reopened on Wednesday, January 14, provincial Traffic Law Enforcement, together with Municipal Traffic Services, has intensified scholar transport enforcement operations across the province, revealing concerning levels of non-compliance within the sector.

MEC for Mobility in the Western Cape, Isaac Sileku, said, “Our foremost concern is the safety of every learner who depends on transport to get to and from school each day. That is why we have strengthened our enforcement efforts during the busiest travel periods (6am–8am and 1pm–3pm), placing particular focus on overloading, seatbelt use, driver fitness, vehicle roadworthiness, and valid operating licences.

"However, the government alone cannot ensure the safety of scholars. We need transport operators, parents, and guardians to take bold and proactive steps to protect the lives of our learners.”

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