Chiloane criticises Transport Dept's slow pace at inspecting roadworthy vehicles
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane position follows a scholar transport vehicle crash claimed four lives earlier this week.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane was in Daveyton on 12 March 2025 visiting families of the four learners who died in a car accident in Ekurhuleni on Monday. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN.
EKURHULENI - Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is criticising the Transport Department's slow pace of inspecting roadworthy vehicles after a scholar transport vehicle crash claimed four lives earlier this week.
He says the two departments have agreed to work hand-in-hand and ensure that only vehicles in good condition operate on the roads.
On Wednesday, Chiloane was speaking during a visit to the bereaved families' homes in Ekurhuleni.
Chiloane says his department has a responsibility to ensure learner safety by providing roadworthy transport.
The department is only responsible for the scholars' transport, which they provide and not private vehicles.
However, he says there are plans to monitor and inspect private vehicles transporting school learners.
He says this can be done if the Department of Transport steps up in its processes of roadworthy car checks.
“As a department it's not our jurisdiction on the road but within schooling parameters that is where we look to really strengthen, but they know very well,” he said adding that the Transport Department “can do more”.
He apologised to the families of the deceased who lost their children in a scholar transport.
EMPD VISIT
After criticism about their silence, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) is expected to visit the families of the four learners killed in a horror crash involving an officer earlier this week.
The EMPD member crashed into a scholar transport vehicle on the N12 near Daveyton, which was carrying the learners who died on impact.
On Wednesday, during the MEC's visit, the families voiced their concerns about EMPD's absence.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini told Eyewitness News that the EMPD had to postpone their visit due to a second crash that occurred in the metro, involving a bus where 13 people died.
One of the family members of the deceased, Sibusiso Zulu, said the EMPD has shown no sympathy.
“We are yet to hear from them, because the people that have concerned themselves about this situation is councillors, ANC [African National Congress] members and now the MEC that's the only people.”