-
A school bus.
Thousands of learners in the Free State have been left stranded after scholar transport operators downed tools over non-payment. Operators say they have not been paid since January and are now facing severe financial strain.
Nearly 10,000 learners are affected and have been forced to find alternative transport.
The operators say they will only resume services once their demands are met.
Operators say the shutdown is a last resort after several failed attempts to engage the Department of Education.
Scholar transport operator Morena Marumo says, “We have been sending letters to the office of the Head of Department requesting an urgent meeting. But as things stand, we cannot service the contract. The cost of diesel is around R30 per litre, and that is the same rate we are being paid. We are operating at a loss.”
Another scholar transport operator, Malungelo Qase, says they are facing financial and legal pressure as the department expects services that cannot be delivered under current contracts.
Qase says they have raised their concerns about poor road conditions, which damage their vehicles and increase maintenance costs.
“Roads need to be maintained and payments must come on time. Everything has to be done proactively so that we can comply and operate properly.”
DA slams department
The DA in the Free State has condemned the provincial Education Department for the delays in payments.
DA Education Spokesperson Jafta Mokoena says the situation is unacceptable, blaming the department for failing to pay scholar transport operators for months.
Mokoena has called on the MEC to take accountability and urgently resolve the dispute, warning that learners’ right to education is being compromised.
He says the crisis is hitting rural communities the hardest where transport is often the only way for learners to access school.
Department apologises
The provincial Education Department has, meanwhile, apologised to scholar transport operators for the delayed payments, confirming that most have not been paid for up to three months.
Department Spokesperson Howard Ndaba says the delays are due to financial constraints, but has offered assurances that funds will be released, with payments expected by next Friday.
Ndaba also acknowledged that current transport rates are too low, saying the department is considering an increase in line with rising fuel costs.
He says the department is engaging operators and plans to introduce a long-term contract of up to five years to improve stability and avoid future disruptions.
-Report by Lebohang Motshweneng
