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Urgent call for action on the safety of scholar transport in the Eastern Cape

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Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the scholar transport accident that occurred on Friday morning, involving a bakkie transporting schoolchildren from farms to Humansdorp. This incident underscores the urgent need for intervention in the scholar transport programme within the Eastern Cape.

It has been confirmed that 14 learners were involved in the accident, 10 from Humansdorp Secondary School and four from Lungiso High School. These children were being transported in a twin-cab bakkie when the accident occurred. All 14 learners are currently in stable condition, but their injuries include head trauma and possible arm fractures,. They are receiving medical attention at a local hospital.

The use of a bakkie to transport 14 children is both illegal and dangerous, placing young lives at unnecessary risk. There is an urgent need to enforce strict safety regulations for scholar transport vehicles.

Payment issues to service providers are directly compromising the safety of our children. In this case, the scholar transport owner was unable to repair his bus due to non-payment by the department, forcing him to use a bakkie as an emergency measure.

The DA calls for a thorough investigation into this accident and other recent incidents involving scholar transport in the province.

We have written to both the MEC for Transport and the Chairperson of the portfolio committee, calling for an urgent portfolio committee meeting to address these ongoing safety concerns and ensure proper oversight of the scholar transport system.

Furthermore, it is imperative that new policies be introduced, making it mandatory for all scholar transport vehicles to undergo regular safety checks and possess valid Roadworthy Certificates. The transportation of children in bakkies or open vehicles must be strictly prohibited.

The DA will continue to press for immediate resolution of the payment delays affecting service providers, ensuring that safe, reliable transport is available for all learners. Financial mismanagement cannot be allowed to endanger the lives of children simply trying to access their education.

The safety of our learners is paramount. The DA stands ready to collaborate on improving the scholar transport system, ensuring that it prioritises the safety and well-being of all learners in the Eastern Cape.

Regards

Kabelo Mogatosi MPL
DA Shadow MEC for Transport

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Port Elizabethan

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