A devastating accident in Mpendle has left 20 school learners injured after the minibus taxi transporting them veered off the road and plunged several meters down a bridge on Monday morning. The crash occurred at approximately 07h30 near KwaKhetha Bridge on the P127 road, sending shockwaves through the community and reigniting concerns about the safety of scholar transport in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the office of the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Mr. Siboniso Duma, the incident was reported by Mr. Thami Mkhulisa, Director of Community Service under Impendle Local Municipality. What has further alarmed authorities and parents is that the driver of the taxi reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident, leaving the injured children behind. Law enforcement agencies have since launched a manhunt to locate him.
The injured learners were from Matomela High School, Luthando High School, and Sthunjwana Primary School. Emergency services rushed them to Gomane Clinic and Harry Gwala Regional Hospital (Edendale Hospital) for urgent medical care. While some sustained serious injuries, no fatalities were immediately reported.
This tragic event marks the third school-related transport accident in the Umgungundlovu District within just four days. On Thursday, three learners tragically lost their lives in a separate incident, and others remain hospitalized. The frequency of these accidents has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter safety measures in the scholar transport industry.
MEC Duma, addressing the media, expressed deep concern over the rising number of accidents and called on the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in KwaZulu-Natal to urgently intervene. He stressed that the taxi industry, which plays a critical role in transporting millions of South Africans daily, must take accountability for safety lapses that continue to claim young lives.
Statistics from the Automobile Association highlight the severity of the crisis, estimating that minibus taxis are involved in around 70,000 crashes annually, with accident rates double those of other passenger vehicles.
In response to these alarming trends, MEC Duma announced a partnership between the provincial government and the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA), an affiliate of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). This collaboration will focus on improving vehicle safety standards and cracking down on fraudulent roadworthy certificates. Authorities will also ensure that vehicles operating without valid certificates are removed from the roads and that those issuing fraudulent documentation face arrest.
As the country approaches October, which marks Transport Month, the MEC outlined several key measures that will be prioritized under this new partnership:
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Strengthening legislation to regulate both taxi and scholar transport, with stricter requirements for driver vetting, vehicle standards, and operational oversight.
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Enforcing compliance and accountability through transparent reporting systems and independent audits.
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Introducing biannual roadworthiness tests for all heavy passenger vehicles, replacing the current annual inspections.
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Ensuring province-wide vehicle inspections at accredited municipal and private testing stations, linked to route permits.
The MEC concluded by emphasizing that the safety of learners must take precedence, urging communities, taxi associations, and government stakeholders to work together to prevent further tragedies.
The Mpendle accident has once again highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms in South Africa’s scholar transport system. As families wait anxiously for updates on the recovery of the injured learners, many are left questioning whether enough is being done to protect children who rely on minibus taxis daily.
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