Gauteng — The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport have stepped up enforcement efforts to improve learner transport safety following recent incidents across both provinces.
In Limpopo, targeted back-to-school operations on 27 January 2026 focused on vehicles transporting learners in Thabazimbi CBD and the Capricorn District. In Thabazimbi, 12 officers inspected 86 vehicles, including 2 busses, 75 taxis, and 7 SUVs.
Thirteen summonses were issued for permit condition and Professional Driving Permit (PRDP) infractions, and 10 vehicles were impounded, comprising 2 busses, 5 taxis, and 3 SUVs.
In Capricorn District, enforcement at Seleteng Ramphele in Mphahlele resulted in 15 vehicles being impounded, including 4 busses, 4 minibuses, 2 LDVs/bakkies, and 5 seven-seaters.
The Limpopo Department emphasised that these operations demonstrate its commitment to learner safety. In a statement, officials said: “We urge all scholar transport operators to prioritize learner safety and regularize their operations. Compliance with permit conditions and driving regulations is essential to protecting our learners on their way to and from school.”
25 Scholar Transport vehicles impounded in Waterberg and Capricon Distract https://t.co/8SXZVcSWBC#ArriveAlive #ScholarTransport @TransportLimCom pic.twitter.com/fMGXUs5Lpq
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 28, 2026
Meanwhile, Gauteng is intensifying road safety interventions following a tragic accident on 20 January, in which 12 learners died when their Toyota Quantum collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal.
The Gauteng Department is strengthening enforcement of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) and National Land Transport Act (NLTA), using technology and stricter compliance measures to ensure safe scholar transport.
MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said: “We will not compromise when it comes to the safety of our children. Any scholar transport operator who puts learners at risk will face serious consequences.” She added: “Road safety is a shared responsibility. Government will enforce the laws; however parents, operators, drivers, and pedestrians must also play their part in ensuring that everyone is safe and arrives alive.”
The Gauteng Department is also encouraging parents and operators to install dashboard cameras and submit video evidence to identify unsafe behaviour, while strictly enforcing Section 49 of the NRTA, which requires operators to ensure vehicles are roadworthy, drivers operate safely, passengers are transported without endangerment, and passengers are safely loaded and unloaded.
Officials in both provinces emphasised that these enforcement measures are part of ongoing efforts to improve learner transport compliance, reduce accidents, and protect children on their way to and from school.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
