By Palesa Matlala
- Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says many drivers failed to meet legal requirements and were driving unroadworthy, overloaded vehicles.
- Zulu siblings, aged 8 and 17, were left stranded after their driver was arrested during the crackdown in Johannesburg.
Children in Lenasia are still traumatised after their drivers were arrested in a government operation targeting illegal scholar transport.
This comes after a deadly crash on 19 January 2026 on Frost Droste Road in Vanderbijlpark, when a 22-year-old driver crashed into a truck. Fourteen school children from Sebokeng died in the accident while travelling to school.
In response, the Department of Transport launched a large-scale operation on 22 January in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg. Officers impounded 60 vehicles and found that many drivers were carrying children without proper permits. Some vehicles were not roadworthy and many were overloaded.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said: “Drivers did not meet the necessary requirements to carry passengers.” She added that some vehicles had once been approved for scholar transport but had since fallen into a bad condition.
The operation may have saved lives, but it has also caused fear and disruption.
Eight-year-old Mantle Zulu said he and his sister Kedibone, 17, were stopped on their way to school. “They counted us as we got off the Quantum and then they cuffed our driver,” said Mantle.
The siblings’ mother had to take a day off work to fetch them. The family had privately arranged the transport and did not know the driver lacked proper licences.
Since then, the children have missed three days of school while the family tries to find a new driver. “As a parent you can only pray for your children’s safety,” said their father, Theo Zulu.
The Department of Transport plans to introduce tougher rules. Creecy said drivers will need advanced training and clear contracts. Vehicles must be clearly marked as scholar transport.
Pictured above: Scholar transport vehicles during the Lenasia operation.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
