Four individuals remain hospitalised following an accident involving a scholar transport bus in Liliefontein near Vryburg in North West.

The accident occurred late on Thursday (5/9) when a tyre on the bus burst. At the time of the incident, eighteen learners were on board, with some having already disembarked at their homes.

Four people sustained serious injuries, including fractures to their legs and arms, while the driver also suffered severe injuries. Three of the injured learners are currently being treated at the Joe Morolong Hospital in Vryburg. 

North West Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane, confirmed that fifteen other learners received trauma counselling at a local hospital.

MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, expressed concern over the rising number of scholar transport accidents and urged operators to exercise extreme caution. 

The accident scene. Picture supplied

“I urge our operators to ensure that their buses are roadworthy, adhere to speed limits, and carry a limited number of passengers to prevent accidents,” she stated.

In February this year, three learners from Gaetsho Secondary and JM Lekgetha Combined Schools in Lichtenburg were hospitalised, and more than twenty others were treated for minor injuries after their scholar transport bus was involved in an accident. Motsumi had visited the learners to offer her support and counselling.

She has previously highlighted the dangers posed by unroadworthy scholar transport, noting the challenges of overseeing this function as it is managed by a different department. “The most difficult part about scholar transport is that the function is managed by another department,” she said.

The ongoing issues with scholar transport have prompted calls for accountability.

Freddy Sonakile, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management. Picture: Facebook

Last month, Freddy Sonakile, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, demanded a comprehensive report from the North West Department of Education on actions taken against non-compliant service providers. 

Sonakile cited several incidents, including a case at Maswelanyane Secondary School, where only four out of seven required buses were provided, and one service provider had not reported for duty at all. Additionally, concerns were raised about a provider using a 22-seater vehicle to transport nearly 40 learners.

Sonakile emphasised that such lapses cannot continue. “It cannot be business as usual while the lives of children are placed in danger. We are not getting a sense of proper oversight by the department on the buses it has contracted to deliver this service,” he said.

He further called for the cancellation of contracts for service providers who breach their contractual obligations. Meanwhile, the department says the psychosocial team will continue to offer counselling sessions to the learners who were involved in the accident.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg