Two months into the new academic year and yet another scholar transport scandal has broken out. This after a bus moving in a rather unusual way was captured on video allegedly ferrying learners in Tigane township outside Klerksdorp in the North West.
In the video widely shared on social media platforms, the bus is seen moving in an oblique direction seemingly driving in two lanes of the road and was temporarily stopped by concerned road users.The video was captured by the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Provincial spokesperson Mzukisi Jam on his way to Mahikeng. Jam is overhead in the video calling on the bus driver to pull over, citing concerns over the safety of the school learners who were on the bus. Speaking on YouFM News Hour, Jam said the driver refused to cooperate with them and claimed that other road users understand his predicament.
“Other drivers understand my challenges that is why they’re always making way for me to pass before they continue with their journey,” said Jam quoting the driver. He said that his numerous attempts to alert the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, failed.
“My attempts to bring this to the attention of the MEC’s office were unsuccessful.But I think it is upon all of us as parents and guardians to hold this scholar transport owners accountable and ensure that our learners are transported in a safe possible way,” explained Jam.
His comments come after both the provincial Department of Transport Management and of Education undertook to ensure that all scholar buses are roadworthy to ferry learners to school across the province. Meanwhile, the Provincial Chairperson of the South African National Small Bus Operators Council (SANSBOC) in the North West Final Kgodumo has rubbished Jam’s claims.
“This video is misleading and exaggerated. The bus was empty and on its way from Tigane to Klerksdorp for the U-bolt repairs affected by gravel road which affected the balance, contrary to claims that it was carrying learners. It was also not true that it was driving on two lanes,” remarked Kgodumo. A significant number of school children in the province rely on scholar transport to get to school, due to long travel times to school.
