Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Last night, I received WhatsApp messages from community members in Ndwedwe who informed me about a drunk driver of a scholar transport.
I also received a disturbing video of the drunk driver and other photos.
I immediately assigned a team to urgently visit the scene of a horrific accident caused by the same driver. The team also proceeded to Montobella District Hospital to monitor the condition of ten learners who were injured.
At 01h20 this morning, I received a report indicating that, unfortunately, one learner died after a minibus taxi rolled down an embankment.
Six other learners were treated and discharged, while four were admitted with severe head and body injuries. The extent of the injuries suggests extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
I have mandated the team to launch an investigation and assess the overall management of this scholar transport service and many more others.
Drastic action will be taken not only against the driver but also against the owner of this service provider.
In addition, I have mandated the Road Traffic Inspectorate and other law enforcement agencies across the province to be on full alert and do spot checks of scholar transport.
Parents and learners are requested to report drunk drivers to the department’s toll-free number 0800055505 or WhatsApp 0601055505.
On Tuesday, we appeared before the Transport Portfolio Committee, and we presented a report on scholar transport.
We reported that over the past 400 days we have ensured scholar transport for more than 77,369 learners in 434 schools across all corners of the province.
The department is administering the learner transport services programme on behalf of Department of Education with a budget of R341,154 million this financial year.
The programme is composed of 85 contracts spread across 12 districts.
Despite the coverage outlined above, the program still has a backlog of 1 571 schools on the waiting list as well as 234 907 learners requiring the service.
We need more than R2 billion for this purpose.
