Renewed Outcry Over Scholar Transport Safety After Two Accidents in Gauteng and Free State

• Two separate scholar transport accidents were reported in Gauteng and Free State on Tuesday morning, 10 March 2026
• Over 800 learners were killed in scholar transport accidents from 2018 to 2022, including 14 fatalities in January 2026
• Social media users reacted with calls for accountability and action from authorities regarding learner transport safety

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.

Two separate accidents involving scholar transport vehicles were reported on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in Gauteng and the Free State.

Another two scholar transport accidents reported

In the first incident, a vehicle transporting learners reportedly crashed in Dawn Park, east of Johannesburg. One learner injured in the crash has gone into a coma. Eight learners were injured when the minibus taxi they were travelling in was struck by a bakkie during peak traffic. According to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, the scholar transport was travelling from Leondale to Katlehong Technical College when the crash occurred.

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Metro police officers were directing traffic at the time of the accident at the intersection of R544 and Heidelberg Road. Preliminary information suggested the crash happened while traffic controllers were managing traffic at the intersection. The bakkie reportedly struck the side of the scholar transport vehicle, leaving all eight learners injured. They were taken to various hospitals for treatment. One occupant from the bakkie was also admitted to the hospital, while the driver of the scholar transport was not injured.

In a separate incident, emergency services responded to a crash on Raymond Mhlaba Road in Bloemfontein, involving a passenger bus, a scholar transport taxi and a motor vehicle. According to Arrive Alive, private emergency service VR MED Emergency Medical Services said patients were assessed at the scene before some were transported to Busamed Bram Fischer International Airport Hospital for treatment for injuries. Emergency responders from ER24, Priority Care, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and traffic authorities also attended the scene.

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More than 800 learners were killed

The incident comes amid growing concern about accidents involving scholar transport vehicles. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 800 learners were killed in crashes involving scholar transport.

In January this year, 14 learners died while travelling to school in a scholar transport vehicle in Gauteng. The case against 22-year-old driver Ayanda Dludla resumed before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court last week. Dludla faces 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and a charge of driving without a valid permit.

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their thoughts regarding the ongoing accidents involving scholar transport.

Goitsemang Sedukanelo said:

"Parents let's pray for our kids."

Zebulon Mhlope said:

"We will again just cry over this for a few days and carry on with our lives. No robust action to stop this nonsense from happening again. No pressure on the Department of Transport and other authorities to sort the mess on our roads out."

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Mpho Gift said:

"If people still think that is about drivers they are doomed."

Relebohile Monontsi said:

"Not this again."

Nelly Ngema said:

"If you can check for the past few months, every accident involving the school transport happens on Mondays."

Gauteng clamps down on unsafe scholar transport vehicles

Briefly News also reported that authorities in Gauteng have ramped up a crackdown on unsafe scholar transport vehicles, with Pretoria impounding 30 buses and four minibuses and Johannesburg’s JMPD removing over 50 vehicles.

The intensified operations follow last week’s scholar transport crisis and recent incidents, including crashes that left multiple learners injured or killed.

Source: Briefly News