MIDDELBURG – Attention is being drawn to the condition of vehicles used for scholar transport at Moerelig Combined School following the tragic collision between a school bus and a train that resulted in the loss of six learners.
Sibusiso Masango, chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), revealed that the state of scholar transport at the school is concerning. “A thorough inspection of scholar transport is imperative as there are numerous vehicles responsible for transporting learners, and we are uncertain about their condition,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for the government to implement stringent regulations concerning scholar transport. “We strongly urge the government to address issues such as overloading to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future,” he stressed.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the school bus was dispatched to assist with accommodating learners from another bus that had broken down. “If the bus had not been diverted, it would have gone directly from the school to Sekhululiwe. The accident might have been avoided,” Masango said. “Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the driver, we insist that the department must take the issues of inspection and overloading seriously.”
A Grade 11 student, a member of the student representative team, expressed dissatisfaction with the “substandard condition” of some vehicles used for transporting scholars. The student noted that these concerns had been previously raised but were not adequately addressed.
