Back to School: Minister and Authorities Emphasize Student Transport Safety
Pretoria – As South African schools prepare to welcome pupils back on 14 January 2026, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and road safety officials are stepping up efforts to make student travel safer. With thousands of children heading to class, the focus is on checking vehicles, enforcing rules, and getting parents involved to cut down on accidents that have claimed too many young lives.
This push comes at a time when road dangers for kids are in the spotlight. Creecy has made scholar transport a key part of the government’s road safety drive, visiting sites to inspect buses and calling for everyone to do their bit. Her message is clear: safe trips to school are everyone’s job, from drivers to families.
Minister’s Hands-On Approach to Safety Checks
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy kicked off the back-to-school road safety campaign with a visit to the North West province last week. At the Bapong Weighbridge near Rustenburg, she oversaw tests on 60 school buses, looking at brakes, gears, tyres, and other vital parts. “We want to make sure that these vehicles are in good condition,” she said during the inspection.
The North West government has set up a special team to patrol villages and schools, hunting for buses that do not meet standards. Creecy pointed out problems like operators swapping safe vehicles for broken-down ones after checks. She also stressed that even roadworthy buses need sober, responsible drivers. This follows a scary case in 2025 where a drunk driver was behind the wheel, putting kids at risk.
Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa joined the effort in the Northern Cape, leading a similar campaign to remind drivers and operators of the rules. These actions show the government’s commitment to fixing long-standing issues in student transport across provinces.
Alarming Inspections in KwaZulu-Natal
In KwaZulu-Natal, road teams have been busy testing scholar transport vehicles before schools open. Since late last year, they checked 198 vehicles, including 143 buses, 48 minibuses, and seven smaller ones. Sadly, 63 failed the tests—43 buses, 18 minibuses, and two others. Faults ranged from bad tyres and brakes to poor suspension and missing seatbelts.
MEC Siboniso Duma praised those who passed but warned that checks will keep going, even after schools start. Spot inspections with police and local traffic officers are planned to catch rule-breakers. Duma called for big changes in private transport, like better checks on drivers and stricter laws to keep kids safe. The province serves about 77,000 pupils in nearly 400 schools, making these fixes urgent.
This crackdown comes after tragic crashes in the area, like one that killed five learners from Mbali Township. Duma urged communities to work together, saying safety cannot be left to chance.
Gauteng’s Zero-Tolerance Stance
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela is taking a firm line on learner safety. She has ordered teams to impound any unroadworthy vehicles or those without proper permits right away. Drivers without valid licences face arrest. Inspections will happen at schools, on routes, and during busy times like mornings and afternoons.
Vehicles must have up-to-date licence discs, roadworthy certificates, fixed seats, working seatbelts, and no overloading. Critical problems with brakes, tyres, lights, or windscreens will not be tolerated. Diale-Tlabela told parents not to pay for unsafe rides and to report dodgy operators. “Your child’s safety comes first,” she said, as part of her agreement with Premier Panyaza Lesufi to improve services.
Gauteng public schools open on 14 January, and the MEC wants motorists to be extra careful around kids and buses. This approach aims to prevent the kind of accidents that have hurt families in the past.
Shocking Statistics and Ongoing Challenges
Road deaths among children are a big worry. In 2024, more than 12,000 people died on South African roads, and kids aged five to 14 made up 5.61% of them. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) calls these losses preventable, with many linked to overloading, bad vehicles, or careless driving.
A deeper issue is access to transport. At least 168,000 pupils walked over 10 kilometres to school daily in 2025, even though they qualified for government help. Others paid out of pocket for rides. This scholar transport crisis leaves many at risk, especially in rural areas with poor roads.
Government funding talks are underway between Creecy, Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, and the National Treasury to improve standards and reach more kids. Provinces like North West run 786 buses through over 300 providers, but challenges like poor road maintenance persist. Municipalities must use grants wisely to fix potholes and keep paths safe.
Tips for Parents and Communities
Authorities like the RTMC and ChildSafe South Africa say parents hold the key to safer trips. “Road safety starts at home,” said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane. Before kids board, check if the driver has a valid Professional Driving Permit and matches their ID.
Look for a current operating licence, valid disc, and good tyres. Never let children ride in bakkies or open trucks—it’s against the law and dangerous. Insist on proper seats, seatbelts, insurance, and ways to contact the driver if needed.
ChildSafe’s Zaitoon Rabaney advises spotting risks early: “If a vehicle looks unsafe, find another way.” Report problems to traffic officials right away. School governing bodies should audit private operators, and everyone must say no to overloading.
These simple steps can save lives. With collective effort, from government checks to family watchfulness, the goal is fewer accidents and more kids arriving safely.
A Call for Lasting Change
As the new school year begins, this focus on student transport safety is a step forward. Creecy and her team want ongoing improvements, like better driver training and vehicle marking. Private services hired by parents must get tested at official sites.
For families, it is about putting kids first. By staying alert and speaking up, parents can help build a safer system. South Africa has strong laws, but making them work needs everyone on board. As pupils settle into class, let safety be the top lesson learned.
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