The deaths of 13 pupils in a scholar transport crash near Vanderbijlpark on Monday have once again exposed a disturbing reality many parents already know. Reckless driving, illegal overtaking, overloaded vehicles, and poorly monitored scholar transport operators remain a daily risk for children across South Africa. This tragedy did not happen in isolation. It happened in a system where dangerous behaviour has quietly become normal.
Preliminary findings suggest the minibus involved attempted a risky overtake before colliding head on with a truck. While investigations are still underway, similar patterns have emerged in past deadly scholar transport crashes in Gauteng, Limpopo, and the North West, where speeding, poor vehicle condition, and driver misconduct were later confirmed. Despite repeated warnings, fines, and promises of reform, unsafe vehicles continue to transport children every morning with little consequence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness over the loss of life, noting that the crash occurred on the same day a report on scholar transport safety was released. Yet the controversy remains that scholar transport operators are rarely subjected to consistent inspections or meaningful enforcement.
