HRC calls for urgent fixes to National Learner Transport Policy gaps

File image of scholar transport.

The Human Rights Commission has called for the gaps within the National Learner Transport Policy to be addressed urgently. The Commission says the policy needs to be clear on the vetting of scholar transport drivers and the number of trips they can make in a day.

This comes in the wake of the tragic Vanderbijlpark crash which claimed the lives of 14 learners on Monday. This week Transport Minister Barbara Creecy indicated that her department was in the final stages of reviewing the policy.

Commissioner Professor Tshepo Madlingozi says they also want to see other parts of the policy, such as the clear marking of scholar transport vehicles being implemented.

“The National Policy indicates that there must be clear markings differentiating all scholar transports from normal taxis. Also the policy is not very clear on how many trips a driver can make. We also find a gap in terms of the vetting of the drivers , theses people are working with children.”

WATCH | The SAHRC has pointed out systemic failures in the scholar transport system and raised concerns about vehicles being overloaded. pic.twitter.com/PrOVX0qNaW

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[LISTEN] Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation Sibongile Maseko blames the Transport Department for delaying to issue operating licences. This follows a crackdown and impounding of over 60 unsafe scholar transport.

🔗 #UpdateAtNoon #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/MGh96HfWPq

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) January 22, 2026