The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport together with the Department of Education, convened a high-level joint meeting on Sunday, to take stock of developments following the introduction of the new Scholar Transport contract which came into effect on 1 September 2026.
The meeting was directed by MEC Thulasizwe Thomo of Public Works, Roads and Transport and MEC Lindi Masina of Education.
The Department have noted that while scholar transport operations are proceeding smoothly in the majority of localities across the Province, there are notable instances where challenges have affected the transportation of some learners.
The meeting therefore adopted a coordinated and solutions-driven approach to address these challenges.
This includes closely monitoring the developments on the ground, identifying areas requiring immediate intervention and putting in place practical measures to resolve outstanding challenges.
As part of the immediate intervention, officials from both Departments have been directed to strengthen monitoring on the ground, engage directly with affected communities and schools, liaise with scholar transport service providers and other relevant role players, and ensure that identified challenges are addressed expeditiously.
The meeting further resolved that all outstanding grey areas must receive urgent attention, with the clear objective of resolving identified challenges before the end of this week.
The Departments regret the inconvenience experienced by learners, parents, schools and communities in areas where scholar transport services have been affected and pledge to work collaboratively to remove the impediments affecting the smooth delivery of scholar transport.
The Departments appeal to all stakeholders for cooperation, patience and constructive engagement as the intervention measures are implemented.
“The identified challenges must not be allowed to undermine the broader mission of ensuring quality education and creating an enabling environment in which every learner can learn and thrive.”
The Departments further assure parents, learners, educators and communities that the matter is receiving urgent attention.
The safety and wellbeing of learners remain paramount and every effort is being made to ensure smooth operations of scholar transport in the Province.
The meeting urged affected communities to work together with the officials of the two departments and refrain from acts of intimidation, threats, violence or deliberate disruption of scholar transport operations.
Such actions place learners, drivers, operators and members of the public at risk and undermine the collective responsibility to protect the right of learners to education.
Both MECs Thomo and Masina reaffirmed that differences and challenges relating to the implementation of this new development must be resolved through dialogue, constructive engagement and established government processes, rather than through actions that disrupt the education of learners.
“Challenges will be addressed in pursuit of solutions and the interests of our learners will remain at the centre of everything we do.”
Statement Issued jointly by:
Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and Department of Education.
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