Unannounced oversight visits by the North West Provincial Legislature have once again placed the state of scholar transport in the North West Province under scrutiny—highlighting both examples of compliance and worrying failures that officials say put learners at risk.

In a media statement issued on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, the Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management said it conducted Day 1 of oversight inspections in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District to assess whether scholar transport operators are meeting regulatory requirements. The committee is chaired by Freddy Sonakile.

Mixed picture across schools visited

According to the statement, the committee visited three schools: Tshipietsile Secondary School, Kgononyane Secondary School and Louwna Primary School.

The committee reported being satisfied with the condition and compliance of scholar transport buses at Tshipietsile Secondary School and Louwna Primary School, where vehicles were described as roadworthy and compliant.

However, the committee raised “serious non-compliance” concerns at Kgononyane Secondary School—an example, it said, of why a “zero tolerance” approach is needed when transport providers fail to meet the rules.

What the committee found at Kgononyane

The Legislature’s statement describes several alleged issues identified during the Kgononyane visit:

• Expired vehicle licence discs, which resulted in traffic enforcement officers issuing fines.

• A bus operating without valid documentation, described as a major concern.

• Severe overloading, with the committee alleging the vehicle transports more than 110 learners daily.

• The presence of hazardous liquids on the bus, which the committee said heightens safety risks.

The statement further claims that during the oversight visit, the driver absconded, prompting the committee to request the immediate impoundment of the vehicle. The Department was instructed to arrange alternative transport so learners could return home safely.

Calls for contract action and accountability

In response, the committee said it has formally requested the Department to invoke revocation clauses in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the affected service provider and to submit a detailed report on actions taken.

The Legislature’s stance signals a tougher line on enforcement—especially where documentation, overloading and safety hazards are involved. In practical terms, this could mean closer monitoring, cancellation of contracts for repeat offenders, and stronger consequences for non-compliance.

Labour concerns raised by drivers

The committee also reported that during engagements with scholar transport drivers at Kgononyane Secondary School, it uncovered labour-related concerns, including:

• Non-payment or delayed payment

• Drivers operating without formal contracts

• Lack of registration for employment benefits

While the committee noted that these matters fall contractually between service providers and individual drivers, it warned that such practices still undermine service delivery and reflect negatively on the Department. The committee said it will ask the Department to engage the Department of Employment and Labour to investigate compliance with labour laws within the scholar transport programme.

Oversight continues

The committee said its unannounced oversight visits will continue on Wednesday.

For parents and communities, the Legislature’s findings at Kgononyane Secondary School reinforce a recurring concern across the province: scholar transport can be the difference between safe access to education and daily exposure to avoidable risk—especially where compliance breaks down.

-The VIP Team 

-NWPL