Durban – An investigation is underway after a scholar transport driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, crashed a vehicle in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal — resulting in the tragic death of one learner and injuries to ten others.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma revealed on Thursday that he had received WhatsApp messages from concerned community members, including photos, alerting him to a school transport driver who appeared intoxicated while ferrying learners.
“I also received a disturbing video of the drunk driver and additional images,” Duma said.
“I immediately assigned a team to urgently visit the scene of a horrific accident caused by the same driver. The team also proceeded to Montobella District Hospital to monitor the condition of ten learners who were injured.”
Tragically, at around 01:20 the following morning, Duma was informed that one of the injured learners had passed away.
Six learners were later discharged, while four remain in hospital, receiving intensive treatment for serious head and body injuries — some of which may require long-term rehabilitation.
In response to the incident, Duma has initiated an investigation into both the driver and the owner of the scholar transport operation. He also called for strengthened road traffic enforcement and stricter oversight to ensure commuter safety.
“I have mandated the team to launch an investigation and assess the overall management of this scholar transport service and many more others.
“Drastic action will be taken not only against the driver but also against the owner of this service provider.
“In addition, I have mandated the Road Traffic Inspectorate and other law enforcement agencies across the province to be on full alert and do spot checks of scholar transport,” said Duma.
On Tuesday, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport appeared before the provincial Transport Portfolio Committee to present proposed measures to improve the scholar transport system.
“We reported that over the past 400 days we have ensured scholar transport for more than 77,369 learners in 434 schools across all corners of the province.
“The department is administering the learner transport services programme on behalf of Department of Education with a budget of R341,154 million this financial year.
The programme operates under 85 contracts across 12 districts. However, despite this reach, 1,571 schools remain on the waiting list, leaving 234,907 learners still in need of transport.
To bridge this gap, Duma said the department would require an additional R2 billion to fully meet the province’s scholar transport demands.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
