Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 July 2026 – The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management has encouraged all contracted scholar transport operators to bring their vehicles for verification and inspection process. The department said this is to ensure that all applicable legislation and contractual obligations have been abided by and complied with, before the schools’ commencement for the Third Term of the academic year on 21 July 2026.
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said in line with stringent measures to ensure leaner safety, his department has begun a process of conducting a compulsory inspection and verification process for all leaner transport buses. Morweng said all contracted operators had been informed of the process, but not all brought their vehicles for inspection.
“The inspections will focus on roadworthiness, safety requirements, authenticating the number of vehicles deployed per route and confirming the validity of operating licenses amongst others. Of concern is that 558 operators have not as yet submitted the required documentation as part of the inspection.
“Operators are advised that as per the Service Level Agreement, (SLA), a vehicle which has failed inspection or has not been verified, will not be permitted to provide scholar transport services. No payment will be processed for services rendered with non-compliant vehicles,” he said.
Morweng further said his department wishes to once again reiterate that learner safety will not be compromised and as has happened before, the contract of any non-complying service provider will be terminated as detailed in SLA. He added that operators are therefore implored to present their vehicles at various Vehicle Testing Stations (VTS) between 8am and 4:30pm for inspection and verification.
“They can go to Bapong T.C.C (VTS), Mogwase (VTS), Madikwe (VTS), Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, JB Marks Local Municipality, Mahikeng Local Municipality (VTS), Ditsobotla Local Municipality (VTS), Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality (VTS), Ganyesa (VTS), Taung (VTS) and Vryburg (Naledi Local Municipality).
“The verification and inspection process period ends on 17 July 2026,” said Morweng.
The Guardian 