The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, has welcomed the arrest of a driver whose bus overturned while transporting 34 learners on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast.
“This is a sad day that we, as South Africans, should be ashamed of. For far too long now, trips to school for poor children, who commute long distances, turn into near-death experiences,” Ms Magadzi said.
“This validates the Transport Committee’s call that the Department of Transport’s scholar transport policy should be prioritised above all else. There should be accountability when school children are being exposed to danger in this manner,” she said.
Earlier in the day, a bus carrying 34 children, most of whom were between 7 and 12 years of age, overturned on the Harding Kokstad Road in KwaZulu-Natal. No fatalities were reported and all children were admitted to local clinics to treat minor injuries.
Ms Magadzi called on the province to make counselling services available at the school for children and their parents.
For media enquiries or interviews with the chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Cell: 081 052 6060
Tel: 021 403 8041
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
