Stop the loss: ensuring safe school transport in KwaZulu-Natal
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Councillor in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality and UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson
The United Democratic Movement in KwaZulu-Natal is deeply saddened by the tragic news of the fatal taxi accident in Imbali Unit 18, which claimed the lives of five young learners and left several others injured. Our hearts go out to the families, classmates, teachers, and communities affected by this devastating incident.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight, regulation, and enforcement of learner transport services across our province. Children entrusted to the care of transport operators must be guaranteed safe passage to and from school. The repeated occurrence of learner transport accidents in KwaZulu-Natal, including this being the second incident in a week, signals a systemic failure in both road safety enforcement and transport management.
The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal calls for immediate interventions, including:
• Comprehensive inspections of all school transport vehicles to ensure roadworthiness and compliance with safety standards.
• Accountability measures for transport operators who fail to meet legal and safety requirements.
• Implementation of robust safety protocols and driver training programs for those responsible for transporting learners.
• Enhanced coordination between the Department of Education, Department of Transport, law enforcement agencies, and local authorities to prevent future tragedies.
The safety of our scholars is non-negotiable. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal urges all relevant authorities to act decisively and to make the protection of learners a top priority, so that no parent, guardian, or community has to endure such heartbreak again.
We express our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the learners who tragically lost their lives in the Imbali Unit 18 accident. We share in the grief and anguish of the affected communities during this incredibly difficult time. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to all those who were injured, and we call on authorities to ensure that they receive the necessary medical care, counselling, and support.
