By OBAKENG MAJE
24 March 2025- As the scholar transport crisis continues to paint a grim picture, concerned parents in Mokgareng village, near Taung, call on the North West Departments of Education and Community Safety and Transport Management, to address scholar transport challenges.
This comes after learners from Thapang Secondary School in Matlapaneng village were forced to evacuate the scholar transport that emitted a cloud of smoke last week. According to one of the parents, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said, the scholar transport bus was ferrying learners from Mokgareng to Matlapaneng when this happened.
“It is worrisome to see this happening. We cannot have challenges of unroadworthy buses year in, year out without any action. So, we express our deepest concern over the situation, and I hope both departments will react timeously.
“Also, it is most probable that other learners across the province are affected by the same crisis across all rural provinces. Either are being left stranded due to the failure of scholar transport services or they are given unroadworthy buses,” she said.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said: “The department is aware of the incident that occurred. The bus experienced a mechanical failure due to a substance that was deliberately introduced into the diesel tank by unknown individuals, as reported by both the driver and the service provider.
“This act resulted in engine complications, which is the reason for the considerable smoke emitted from the exhaust. There was no emergency evacuation and all the learners were safe.”
Molokwane further said they went to their respective school without any reported injuries. He added that the situation was managed effectively, prioritising the well-being of the learners.
“The service provider dispatched an intervention bus. Thereafter, the officials from the learner transport department convened with the service provider today to address the situation.
“The Department of Education will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the smoke, as we cannot solely depend on the driver’s account,” said Molokwane.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Charles Matlou said the Lethina Trading Enterprises is appointed to provide scholar transport services to learners attending school in Thapama Secondary School situated in Matlapaneng village. Matlou said the operator informed the department about the incident on 17 March 2025.
“The department conducts ad hoc monitoring of scholar transport and the recent one was on 11 March 2025. The bus in question was in good condition according to the monitoring tool utilised by the monitors.
“It must be noted that the monitoring tool of the department does not cover the engine related aspects due to the assumption that once the vehicle has a certificate of fitness it is in good condition,” he said.
Matlou said in total, the department spends R450 000 000 on scholar transport every year.
The Guardian 