Picture: Scholar transport impounded in North West/Generic
By AGISANANG SCUFF
29 January 2026- The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management said it has met with concerned operators, who render scholar transport services privately. This follows discontent raised by some operators in and around Mahikeng due to their vehicles being impounded during recent law enforcement operations.
The Head of Department (HoD), Dr Hans Kekana said since the re-opening of the schools three weeks ago, his department embarked upon operations across the province, focusing mainly on contraventions such as speeding, roadworthiness and overloading of transportations carrying learners. Kekana said that many of the vehicles that were impounded were found to be operating illegally, with vehicles that have defects or not contravening legislation that classifies vehicles for public transport services.
“The department is of the view that there is a significant knowledge gap generally amongst unorganised scholar operators regarding regulation in the sector along with requirements to acquire necessary operating licenses (OL) and Professional Driver Permit (PrDP).
“The meeting afforded an opportunity to close that gap. We have come to realise that many of the vehicles operating as private scholar transport, do not fall within the allocated categories in terms of the National Land Transport Act as well as the Road Traffic Act,” he said.
Kekana further said the operators also conceded that they were not aware of the requirements as per the regulations. He added that, therefore, encourages anyone who wants to operate within the sector, to do so by following the right procedures in order to be legally recognised and permitted.
“The department reiterates its stance on non-conditional business standards by operators ferrying the public as well as the learners. As the department, we will continue to enforce the law, where there is an offence being committed, the necessary corrective measures will apply. We have adopted a zero-tolerance approach, so that we avoid situations that compromise the safety of passengers.
“It therefore becomes very important for operators to empower themselves and to do research about the sector and all its legislation, to organise and collaborate with others through recognised associations and ensure that the service they render is efficient, effective and lawful,” said Kekana.
He said the department furthermore implores parents to ensure that operators procured privately to transport learners are within the law in the interests of learner safety. Kekana said they are making a call to parents to support our awareness programmes that are aligned to learner safety.
“This will empower them with valuable insight as and when they source service providers for scholar transportation,” he said.
The Guardian 