The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has ramped up efforts to curb non-compliant scholar transport operators in Lenasia as part of a road safety campaign. Several vehicles were impounded, and arrests followed for drunk driving and bribery attempts. This action comes amid heightened concerns over learner safety following a deadly crash.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport announced an intensified crackdown on non-compliant scholar transport operators in Lenasia, forming part of the E-Thoma-ka-Wena (It Starts with You) campaign. This initiative seeks to enhance road safety and protect school learners from risks associated with unregulated transport.
Department spokesperson Lesiba Mpya reported that several vehicles were removed from the roads that afternoon. He detailed arrests for operating under the influence of alcohol and attempting to bribe officials. In a statement, Mpya highlighted progress in permit processing: “We would have calculated in excess of 610 applications that were collected just today. We want to say that we have in our system 1,546 applications that we have captured. We are aware that we have 1,009 applications that are in the system ready for approval and we have approved around 574 that are in the hands of operators. So, there is no specific backlog because there is a process underway.”
The enforcement drive gained urgency after a tragic accident in Vanderbijlpark the previous Monday, which claimed the lives of 14 school children. This incident has drawn attention to broader issues in scholar transport safety. Various organizations are calling for stricter law enforcement and a review of existing policies.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy noted that her department is nearing completion of a review of the National Learner Transport Policy, signaling potential reforms to address these vulnerabilities.
