Picture: 13 learners perish in scholar transport accident
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
19 January 2026- The Gauteng Department of Education said it wishes to confirm that the death toll in the tragic scholar transport incident that occurred on Monday in Vanderbijlpark has risen to 13 learners. The department said at the time of issuing the earlier statement, 12 learner fatalities had been confirmed.
The Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona said a further learner has since succumbed to injuries, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 13. Mabona said all information remains preliminary as investigations continue.
“The Gauteng Department of Education extends its deepest condolences to the affected families, learners, and school communities during this extremely difficult time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) President, Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of lives in a collision involving a scholar transport vehicle this morning. At least 13 learners died when the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark today. Ramaphosa offered his deepest sympathies to all families and communities concerned and said the government will work with citizens and community-based organisations to protect people’s lives in these different circumstances.
“On today’s learner transport tragedy, it is particularly distressing that this incident has taken place on the day the South African Human Rights Commission has published a report on scholar transport in the North West. Our thoughts are with the families, teachers, classmates and friends of the young victims.
“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners,” he said.
Ramaphosa said national and provincial authorities will provide families and schools with the necessary psychosocial support.
19 January 2026- The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) painted a grim picture regarding scholar transport in the North West. The Commission presented its findings after an investigative inquiry into systemic scholar transport challenges.
According to the SAHRC Commissioner, Nomahlubi Khwinana, the inquiry was prompted by widespread and persistent concerns relating to the safety, reliability, accessibility and adequacy of scholar transport in the province, which significantly impaired the realisation of learners’ rights. Khwinana said the inquiry was convened in March, April and May 2025, supplemented by site inspections, as well as pre- and post-inquiry correspondence with the North West Department of Education (NWDoE), the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA) and the North West Department of Treasury (NWPT).
“During the inquiry, extensive testimony from stakeholders, including unions, a representative from the legislator, a parent, civil society organisations, and operators was heard.
“The investigation identified pervasive failures in the scholar transport system, characterised by the use of unroadworthy and unsafe vehicles, including buses with mechanical defects, expired discs, fuel leaks, inadequate safety features, and in some cases described as “coffins “, she said.
Khwinana further said scholar transports are marred by chronic overcrowding and multiple-trip operations, which cause late arrivals, missed lessons, and learner exhaustion. She added that frequent breakdowns leave learners stranded or forced to walk long distances.
“There was a lack of supervision during transportation that exposed learners to bullying and safety risks, especially where young and older learners travel together. There was a lack of accommodation for learners with disabilities due to inaccessible vehicles.
“There was inadequate contract monitoring and enforcement, with evidence of misrepresentation, non-compliance and procurement irregularities. Payment backlogs in payments to operators, leading to service withdrawal, deferred maintenance, and unlawful vehicle substitutions,” said Khwinana.
She said thousands of eligible learners are being excluded from scholar transport provision due to funding limitations, thereby impeding regular and equitable access to schooling. Khwinana said these challenges collectively disrupted teaching and learning, increased absenteeism and placed learners at continuous risk of physical, psychological and emotional harm.
“The Commission has found that these systemic failures stem from a combination of institutional, operational, and financial weaknesses, including fragmented functional responsibility between the NWDoE and COSATMA, resulting in unclear accountability and reactive oversight.
“Budgetary constraints, late invoice processing, and prolonged operator non-payment which directly undermined safety compliance. Weak enforcement capacity, including insufficient inspections, inadequate consequence measures, and tolerance of non-compliant operators,” she said.
Khwinana said other challenges were inadequate planning mechanisms and delayed learner data submissions, compounded by increased travel distances caused by school rationalisation. She said governance failures identified by the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA), including irregular expenditure, lack of performance evidence, and payments for services not delivered.
“There is insufficient capacity of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and school-level monitors to detect, report, or prevent safety breaches. The Commission noted that, since the start of the investigation and the inquiry, the state has implemented some remedial measures, including the inspection of some vehicles, the establishment of WhatsApp reporting groups, operational “war rooms”, workshops for operators, route audits, engagement with stakeholders, planned implementation of electronic monitoring and payment systems, termination of some non-performing contracts and additional budget allocations in select financial years.
“Additional measures taken since the commencement of the inquiry include clearing certain payment backlogs and accommodating previously excluded learners. However, the investigation found these measures insufficient and inconsistently applied,” said Khwinana.
She said in particular, enforcement remains limited, supervision remains inadequate, safety gaps remain unresolved and the transport needs of thousands of learners remain unmet, including learners with disability. Khwinana said the failures documented throughout the inquiry constitute a violation of learners’ rights to a basic education, as the service is not consistently accessible, safe or reliable.
Meanwhile, the SAHRC has given stakeholders involved 60 working days to implement the recommendations.
19 January 2026- The Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said last week, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube announced that the Matric Class of 2025 had made history by achieving the highest pass rate in our country’s history. Ramaphosa said more than 650 000 learners passed the National Senior Certificate, achieving a pass rate of 88%.
He further congratulated all the learners and their teachers, families and communities for this great achievement. Ramaphosa added that they applaud every learner who sat these exams.
“The matric results have shown a steady improvement over many years, both in the quantity and the quality of the achievements. They have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of South Africans older than 20 who have a matric qualification, increasing from 30% in 2002 to 52% in 2024.
“This outstanding achievement shows the value of the investment we are making in education and the efforts we have made to ensure that all children, regardless of their background and gender, have access to quality education,” he said.
Ramaphosa said global experience has shown that one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty is to ensure that girl children receive a good education. He said it is therefore significant that in 2025, more girls sat for the matric exams than boys and that the pass rates of boys and girls were much the same.
“A higher proportion of girls attained admission to Bachelor studies than boys, and nearly twice as many obtained distinctions. This bodes well for the continuation of their studies at universities and colleges. It is also significant that more than two-thirds of all bachelor passes came from schools in the most disadvantaged communities, classified as quintiles 1-3.
“This is both a testament to the determination of these learners and their teachers, and to the effectiveness of policies like no-fee schools and the child support grant. Taken together with the expansion in recent years of funding for tertiary students from poor backgrounds, these results give us encouragement that many of these young people will be able to lift themselves and their families out of poverty,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they are encouraged by the fact that 90% of learners with special education needs passed matric and 52% achieved bachelor passes, both higher than the national average. Ramaphosa said their task is now to ensure that more learners with special needs are able to write matric exams.
“As we applaud these great results, we must acknowledge that challenges remain. Of the 1.2 million children who started grade one in 2014, only 778,000 made it through to grade 12 in 2025. That’s nearly half a million young people who left school before finishing. As we strive to improve the quality of our matric results, we must work harder to ensure that more children complete their schooling.
“Another challenge is the drop in performance in subjects like mathematics. While more learners are taking these subjects, we have seen a drop in the pass rates for mathematics and accounting. These are subjects that our learners need to excel at if they are to succeed in a rapidly changing economy,” he said.
Ramaphosa said in working to address these challenges, we are starting with the foundations of learning. He said in the same week that the results came out for the class of 2025, the class of 2037 started their first day of grade one.
“From this moment, they are starting their preparations for matric and beyond. That is why they are placing greater emphasis and making more investment into the early years of schooling. We have made Grade R compulsory and embarked on an ambitious drive to register and provide subsidies to more early childhood development centres.
“We are strengthening early grade reading, improving teaching materials and focusing on teacher development in the early grades. By investing in children at the start of their school career, by giving them a solid educational foundation, we are preparing them for success. We are working to ensure that they all finish their schooling, that they excel in matric and that they go on to thrive in everything they do,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the achievements of the Class of 2025 must inspire and encourage all the years of learners that are to follow.
Picture: 30 young learners who have been selected to study medicine in the Republic of Cuba/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
19 January 2026- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has officially bid farewell to 30 young learners who have been selected to study medicine in the Republic of Cuba under the Nelson Mandela–Fidel Castro (NMFC) Medical Programme. The send-off was held at the Radisson Hotel in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
Lehari said the farewell function, attended by senior management of the department, marked a significant milestone in the lives of the learners, who come from rural and historically disadvantaged communities across the province’s four districts. He congratulated the learners on their selection and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with the rare opportunity afforded to them.
“Your selection into this programme is not accidental. You were chosen because of your academic excellence and your potential to change lives. As you go to Cuba, you go as ambassadors of the North West Province and South Africa.
“The NMFC Medical Programme was established to address shortages of doctors in rural and underserved areas, urging the students not to forget their roots. Do not forget where you come from, the communities you leave behind are the same communities that will welcome you back,” said Lehari.
He further said upon completion of their studies, they must return and serve where the need is greatest. Lehari encouraged learners to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies, cautioning them against behaviour that could derail their future and the objectives of the programme.
“Last year, the province sent 31 students to Cuba to pursue medical studies. This year, 30 learners have been successfully placed in the programme, reflecting the department’s continued commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of medical doctors for the province,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Programme Coordinator for the Cuban Medical Scholarship, Ouma Kgori, outlined the rigorous selection process, noting that hundreds of applications were received from across the four districts.
“This was a difficult process as it meant that we had to select the best in line with the criteria. We are happy with the outcome because all of you meet the criteria, hence I am confident that you will represent us well,” said Kgori.
Acting Deputy Director-General for Hospitals and Specialised Services, Professor Binu Luke, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening the health system through human resource development.
“The department is working hard to produce doctors, and you are part of that commitment. You must be ready to come back to work in our hospitals, where our patients need you the most,” said Luke.
The NMFC Medical Programme, rooted in the historic partnership between South Africa and Cuba, continues to play a critical role in improving access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, by training doctors who understand the challenges faced by their communities.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By OBAKENG MAJE
19 January 2026- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has encouraged all parents and guardians who are still looking for space for their children to visit the Local Education Offices in their areas, where they reside. Motsumi said her department has established Education Hubs specifically to assist parents and guardians who did not get space for learners.
Motsumi further said the Education Hubs will assist with the placement of learners into different schools. She added that the issue of parents not getting their children to school has come to the attention of the department.
“The constitution of the Republic of South Africa emphasizes that every child has a right to education.
During the reopening of schools every learner should be in school.
“I take this time again to encourage parents and guardians to visit Education Hubs in the Local Education Offices (LEOs). I have instructed that these hubs should ensure that all learners are placed in schools,” said Motsumi.
She said she wants to caution parents and guardians that schools of choice cannot be provided at this time. Motsumi said now it is very late for parents to demand schools of choice.
“We are going to place learners where there is space not far from their place of stay. We are requesting cooperation from parents and guardians in order for teaching and learning to start on the first day of the reopening of schools.
“For more information on the placement of learners, parents and guardians should call the District Directors on various numbers. In Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, they can call the District Director, Mojakhumo Dithejane on 072 616 4368,” she said.
Motsumi said in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, they can call N. Seokolo on 082 884 6423, in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, they can call E. Lesetedi on 082 356 0503, while in Bojanala District, Dr L. Ntwape will be ready to receive their calls on 076 927 2667.
18 January 2026- The police in Assen in collaboration with local farmers have arrested four suspects in connection with the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The police said the arrests were effected on Saturday midday, 17 January 2026, after the members of Assen SAPS responded to a complaint at Kameeldrift on the R511 road.
The North West police spokesperson, Constable Thuto Bobelo said it is alleged that four suspects travelling in a white Hyundai i10 were stopped by the members of the local farming community. Bobelo said upon arrival at the scene, the police found four suspects lying on the ground under the supervision of a group of farmers.
“A search of the vehicle was conducted, during which police recovered a pistol with a magazine and several rounds of ammunition, for which no lawful ownership could be established. Cash and nine cellular phones were also seized.
“The preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects may be linked to an earlier robbery involving a police officer in Northam. All four suspects were arrested and are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 19 January 2026, facing charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as robbery,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the cooperation of the farming community and reiterated the commitment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to combat serious and violent crime in the province.
Picture: DA welcomes classification of National Disaster following devastating floods
By BAKANG MOKOTO
18 January 2026- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said at this stage, the unfolding disaster has been “classified” as a National Disaster, but has not (yet) been “declared” as a National Disaster. The DA said classification has the effect of formally designating the National Executive as the coordinating authority and strengthens intergovernmental cooperation in responding to this calamity.
DA Limpopo spokesperson on Disaster Management and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Lindy Wilson said they welcome the classification of the unfolding disaster in Limpopo — and other affected provinces — as a national disaster, following severe weather experienced since late December 2025. Wilson said the heavy rainfall and flooding have tragically resulted in loss of life, widespread damage to property, infrastructure and the environment, and serious disruptions to basic services, particularly in the Mopani and Vhembe Districts.
“The magnitude of the devastation is such that it cannot be effectively managed by provincial and municipal governments alone, and requires a coordinated, whole-of-government response. We therefore welcome the classification, which formally designates the National Executive as the coordinating authority and strengthens intergovernmental cooperation in responding to this calamity.
“While the worst of the severe weather appears to be nearing an end and floodwaters begin to recede, urgent attention must now turn to strengthening humanitarian assistance, assessing the full extent of damage and losses, restoring essential services, and repairing and rebuilding infrastructure — particularly that which supports humanitarian relief, service delivery, and critical supply-chain and economic activity,” she said.
Wilson further said the consequences of this disaster — human, social and economic — will be felt for a long time to come. She added that they thank all those in government — across provincial and municipal structures, as well as the SAPS and SANDF — and in civil society, including individuals and organisations, who came together and who continue to work tirelessly in response to the many emergencies that unfolded and in ongoing humanitarian efforts.
“Among them are countless selfless heroes and heroines whose commitment and courage have made a real difference,” said Wilson.
18 January 2026- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Witzenberg said it strongly condemns the ‘irresponsible’ and ‘dangerous’ conduct of an ANC public representative in Witzenberg, who on Friday, deliberately incited members of the Nduli community to stage a protest, directly placing the lives and safety of learners from Vredebes at risk. The DA said this incident occurred while children were en route to school, using scholar transport and resulted in heightened racial tensions and a scuffle between members of the Vredebes and Nduli communities.
The DA Constituency Head in Witzenberg, Wendy Kaizer-Philander said at no point should political opportunism be allowed to compromise the constitutional rights of children — particularly their right to safety and access to education. Kaizer-Philander said this escalation follows a sustained and misleading narrative advanced by the ANC, which has sought to politicise school infrastructure development in Witzenberg and deliberately distort the facts surrounding the proposed primary school in Vredebes.
“The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has been clear. The new school will serve the broader community, including learners from both Vredebes and Nduli. IsiXhosa will be offered as a Language of Teaching and Learning at the school. While construction is phased, the WCED has committed to urgent assessments and interim interventions to address immediate needs at Nduli Primary School.
“Despite these facts, the ANC has persisted in inflaming community anxieties, redirecting legitimate concerns into political mobilisation, and — most alarmingly — allowing this conduct to escalate into actions that endangered children,” she said.
Kaizer-Philander further said education is not a political bargaining chip, and children are not instruments of political agitation. He added that public representatives are entrusted with a duty to act transparently, honestly and in the best interests of the community.
“Inciting unrest, misrepresenting facts and placing anyone in harm’s way is a fundamental betrayal of that responsibility. The DA further calls on the SAPS to fulfil its constitutional mandate to serve and protect. The safety of learners must be prioritised, and any acts of incitement, intimidation or public disorder must be properly investigated and addressed without fear or favour.
“We call on all residents, who witnessed the incitement or intimidation of learners, to report it to the police. Parents are urged to remain calm, to rely on verified information, and not to allow their children’s futures to be jeopardised by reckless political behaviour,” said Kaizer-Philander.
He said they remain unwavering in its support for the WCED and will continue to work constructively to ensure that every child has access to safe, inclusive and quality education.
Picture: The soldiers participating in Exercise Will for Peace 2026
By REGINALD KANYANE
18 January 2026- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said Iranian warships took part despite reports of a presidential order to exclude them. The DA said conflicting South African National Defence Force (SANDF) statements raise concerns that civilian authority was ignored.
DA spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans and Member of Parliament (MP), Chris Hattingh said they call for an urgent parliamentary debate to enforce accountability. Hattingh said what is now unfolding around Exercise Will for Peace 2026 looks less like confusion and more like defiance within the SANDF.
“Despite credible reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief, instructed that Iranian warships be excluded from the exercise, Iranian vessels nevertheless took part. This was followed by contradictory explanations, deleted SANDF communications, and a shifting official story that continues to change as more facts emerge.
“That is not normal nor is it acceptable. And it cannot be brushed aside. The situation is made worse by the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, publicly hailing Iran’s participation, only for events to unfold in a manner that appeared to defy a reported presidential instruction,” he said.
Hattingh further said when senior officers publicly signal one direction and events on the ground follow that direction, parliament is entitled to ask a hard question: “Was lawful civilian authority ignored?” He added that this is not a technical or procedural dispute.
“It goes to the heart of how our democracy works. In South Africa, the military is subordinate to elected civilian leadership. If orders from the Commander-in-Chief can be sidestepped, diluted, or quietly ignored, then civilian oversight becomes meaningless.
“The Minister announced a Board of Inquiry only after the exercise had concluded. That cannot put Parliament on hold. Boards of Inquiry are internal processes that often drag on for years behind closed doors. Accountability cannot wait,” said Hattingh.
He said that is why the DA has called for an urgent parliamentary debate. Hattingh said South Africans deserve immediate answers.
“Who gave the final approval? Whose instructions were followed? And why did senior SANDF leadership appear to act in defiance of a presidential directive? If this reflects a wider culture of insubordination at senior command level, including the Chief of the SANDF and the Chief of the Navy, it must be confronted now.
“The SANDF cannot be allowed to operate with parallel lines of authority. The DA will pursue full parliamentary accountability, insist on consequences where authority was defied, and defend the principle that the military remains firmly under civilian control,” he said.
18 January 2026- The police in Kanana Township in Orkney, supported by the Provincial Crime Intelligence Overt Team, Provincial Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management and the Stilfontein Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit successfully arrested two suspects on Saturday in connection with a case of stock-theft reported in the area.
The North West police spokesperson, Constable Thuto Bobelo said the preliminary investigations revealed that crime intelligence received a tip-off regarding the whereabouts of suspects linked to the theft of eight cattle in Kanana.Bobelo said acting on this tip-off, the police traced the suspects and found them in possession of eight cattle that they could not account for.
“The suspects were immediately arrested and will be charged with possession of suspected stolen livestock. In addition, the suspects failed to provide valid identification documents and will therefore face further charges for contravention of the Immigration Act.
“Both suspects, aged 36, are expected to appear before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 19 January 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the police for their commendable efforts in tracing and arresting the suspects. Naidoo reminded all livestock owners of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs that, it is compulsory to mark their livestock according to the Animal Identification Act (Act 6 of 2002).
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