Driver Flees After Overloading Seven-Seater Minibus With 22 Learners
- A seven-seater minibus with 22 learners was found overloaded in Polokwane on Wednesday, 21 January 2026
- The driver of the vehicle allegedly abandoned the vehicle after discovering traffic officials
- Authorities warned parents and drivers about the dangers of reckless behaviour in transporting children
Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.
Source: Twitter
LIMPOPO - POLOKWANE - A seven-seater minibus was found overloaded with 22 learners on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, in Polokwane. The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety condemned the incident.
Minibus found overloaded with 22 learners
The incident occurred in the Ladanna area, where the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene after noticing traffic enforcement officers. The department said the incident highlighted the importance of prioritising road safety, particularly when transporting learners.
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It warned that overloading is a serious offence and poses a significant danger to passengers. Parents, drivers and operators were urged to take responsibility for the safety of children and all road users. The department said it would not tolerate such reckless behaviour and would continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
South Africans weigh in
Social media users shared their thoughts regarding the overloading of the vehicle.
Lucky Matthews said:
"The school transport must be registered to schools as well, and the drivers must be known; they must sign a certain document every day, the names and the numbers of the kids. The overloaded and unroadworthy transport must be charged."
Head Wish said:
"Parents should also help by ensuring that the school transport is not overloaded. We can't have a 7-seater car carrying 22 human beings."
Nkoane James Mefolo said
"It's time drones are deployed to monitor traffic in real-time, overspending vehicles should be chased by drones and even issued fines if not reducing speed or confiscating the driver's license permits."
Lasborn Murphy Mashilo said:
"Schools must have their own transport, it's enough."
Kgotlelelo Khuzzy Kgotli said:
"Unfortunately, the only matter that we have with scholar transport is that when they reach a certain point, they change the children into one mode of transport. I think they’re trying to do it within the radius of the school, so, for instance, take Academy. Flora Park High School in one transport."
Kgotlelelo Khuzzy Kgotli said:
"Parents are fully aware of this. They are fully aware."
Source: Twitter
Other transport-related stories
Police in Gauteng have arrested a 22-year-old scholar transport driver following a crash in Vanderbijl Park that killed 12 learners on Monday, 19 January 2026. The driver was taken into custody after being discharged from the hospital. Police said he is expected to appear in the Vanderbijl Park Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Another scholar transport incident was reported in Gauteng after a minibus carrying schoolchildren caught fire. The fire broke out in Lenasia South while the vehicle was travelling to school. Footage circulating on social media showed a white Mercedes minibus in flames as residents in the area moved in to assist.
Nine children were injured on Monday afternoon near Sarnia School in Pinetown. ALS spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that a single scholar transport seemingly lost control and collided with a tree. The children were stabilised on site before being transported to various hospitals for further medical care.
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Source: Briefly News
