By OBAKENG MAJE
13 February 2025- Fifteen learners from Britton village, which is located approximately 20km from the school had no access to scholar transport. This startling revelation was uncovered during the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management visit.
This week, the committee conducted an oversight visit at Kromellenboog Combined School in Christiana to assess scholar transport operations. During the visit, the committee engaged with the school principal and conducted a physical inspection of the buses.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile said it was discovered that the contracted service provider failed to supply the required number of buses, leading to dangerous overloading. Sonakile said they immediately engaged the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, which committed to visiting the school and providing a report on the corrective actions taken.
“Following the committee’s intervention, the department agreed to adjust existing routes to accommodate these learners by redirecting a nearby service provider.
“Concerns regarding school infrastructure were escalated to the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, who assured us that education officials would visit the school for an assessment.
Meanwhile, the committee also visited the Christiana Traffic Station. Sonakile engaged with station management on operational challenges and expressed satisfaction with the feedback received.
“The issue of procurement for essential tools of trade was addressed, with the department confirming that procurement processes were underway. Regarding staff vacancies, the committee resolved to escalate the matter to the Head of Department and the MEC, as the station cited delays due to concurrent approval processes required before filling critical posts.
“The committee also commended the station for its efforts in maintaining a strong law enforcement presence in the town, ensuring improved traffic regulation and public safety,” he said.
The Guardian 