A fatal road accident in the Vanderbijlpark area has once again placed scholar transport safety at the centre of national concern after 11 pupils were killed and five others critically injured on Monday morning. The tragedy occurred as the South African Human Rights Commission, SAHRC, was preparing to release findings from an investigation into persistent safety and operational failures in scholar transport systems in the North West province.

The timing of the crash has intensified scrutiny of a sector long plagued by warnings from communities, civil society groups, and oversight bodies.

A Tragedy With Broader Implications

According to reports, the pupils were travelling to school when the accident occurred in the Vanderbijlpark area. Emergency responders pronounced 11 children dead at the scene, while five others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital.

Although investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing, the incident has amplified longstanding concerns about the condition of vehicles used to transport learners, driver compliance, and oversight failures across provinces.

Road safety experts say the scale of the loss underscores systemic weaknesses rather than isolated lapses.

SAHRC Report Signals Longstanding Failures

The South African Human Rights Commission has been examining scholar transport challenges in the North West, where years of complaints have highlighted unsafe vehicles, poor monitoring, and inconsistent enforcement of regulations.

Commissioner Nomahlubi Khwinana said the commission’s findings point to a pattern of neglect that has placed learners at risk of serious harm while also affecting their access to education.

According to Khwinana, pupils using scholar transport have faced repeated exposure to accidents, breakdowns, and disruptions that result in missed school days and compromised learning outcomes.

Unsafe Vehicles Described as “Coffins”

The SAHRC identified the continued use of unroadworthy vehicles as one of the most serious concerns. According to the commission, some vehicles currently transporting learners have been described by communities and stakeholders as “coffins” due to their poor condition.

“Unroadworthy and unsafe vehicles, some of which have been described by affected communities and stakeholders as coffins, are being used due to severe mechanical defects, expired licence discs, fuel leaks, and the absence of basic safety features,” Khwinana said.

She added that these conditions create a high-risk environment for pupils who rely on scholar transport as their primary means of getting to and from school.

Overloading Raises Accident Risk

Beyond vehicle condition, the commission highlighted chronic overloading as a major contributor to danger on the roads. According to Khwinana, many scholar transport vehicles routinely carry far more passengers than approved capacity.

“There is also chronic overloading, far exceeding approved passenger capacity, which significantly increases the risk of accidents and injuries,” she said.

Transport analysts note that overloading not only raises the likelihood of crashes but also worsens injury outcomes when accidents occur, particularly for children who are often seated without proper restraints.

Why the Issue Matters Now

The Vanderbijlpark crash has drawn renewed attention to scholar transport at a time when provincial education departments face increasing pressure to demonstrate accountability.

For many families, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities, scholar transport is not optional. It is the only way children can access schooling, especially where schools are far from residential areas.

Human rights advocates argue that safe transport is inseparable from the constitutional right to education and the obligation of the state to protect children from foreseeable harm.

A Pattern Seen Across Provinces

While the SAHRC investigation focused on the North West, experts say similar challenges exist in other provinces. Weak procurement processes, limited inspections, and funding constraints have all contributed to a system where safety standards are unevenly enforced.

According to education sector analysts, scholar transport often falls between departments, with unclear lines of responsibility between education, transport, and local authorities.

This fragmentation, they argue, allows dangerous practices to persist despite repeated warnings.

Calls for Stronger Oversight and Enforcement

Civil society groups are now calling for urgent action, including stricter vehicle inspections, better driver vetting, and clearer accountability mechanisms.

Some experts have suggested the introduction of a national scholar transport safety framework to harmonise standards across provinces and ensure regular monitoring.

They also argue that data collection on scholar transport incidents remains inadequate, limiting the ability of policymakers to respond effectively.

Key developments to monitor include the release of the SAHRC’s full report, potential responses from provincial education and transport authorities, and the outcome of investigations into the Vanderbijlpark crash.

Families of the victims are also expected to seek answers about vehicle condition, licensing, and compliance with safety regulations.

Whether the tragedy leads to sustained reform or fades into a familiar cycle of outrage and inaction remains a critical question.

The deaths of 11 pupils in Vanderbijlpark have brought renewed urgency to warnings that have echoed for years about the dangers facing children who depend on scholar transport. As the SAHRC prepares to publish its findings, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder that delayed reforms carry human costs. For many observers, the moment now demands more than condolences, it calls for decisive action to ensure that school journeys do not end in preventable loss.