Byline: Levhuwani Matumba

14 September 2026

The Mpumalanga Department of Education and the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport have responded to concerns over the unavailability of scholar transport affecting learners from Emdibini and Trichardtfontein Combined Schools.

Last week, Seskhona Media published a video showing learners from the two schools protesting in Kinross over the lack of scholar transport.

The learners reportedly raised concerns after many of them were left without transport to school, with some learners resorting to hitchhiking in an effort to attend classes and write examinations.

Following the protest, Seskhona Media contacted both the Mpumalanga Department of Education and the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, seeking clarity on the shortage of scholar transport, its impact on learners and when the situation would be resolved.

The departments subsequently responded through a joint media statement issued by their spokespersons, Mr Jasper Zwane of Education and Mr Bongani Dhlamini of Public Works, Roads and Transport.

According to the statement, the two departments have committed to urgently addressing challenges affecting scholar transport following the introduction of a new contract that came into effect on 1 September 2026.

The departments convened a high-level joint meeting on Sunday to assess developments and identify challenges arising from the implementation of the new scholar transport contract.

The meeting was led by MEC Thulasizwe Thomo, MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, and MEC Lindi Masina, MEC for Education.

Challenges reported in some areas

The departments said scholar transport operations are proceeding smoothly in the majority of areas across the province.

However, they acknowledged that there are “notable instances” where challenges have affected the transportation of some learners.

The meeting adopted what the departments described as a coordinated and solutions-driven approach to address the challenges.

Officials from both departments have been instructed to strengthen monitoring on the ground, engage directly with affected communities and schools, liaise with scholar transport service providers and other relevant stakeholders, and ensure that identified challenges are addressed as quickly as possible.

The departments said all outstanding issues and “grey areas” must receive urgent attention, with the objective of resolving identified challenges before the end of this week.

Departments apologise to affected learners

The departments expressed regret over the inconvenience experienced by learners, parents, schools and communities in areas where scholar transport services have been affected.

They assured stakeholders that the matter is receiving urgent attention and stressed that the safety and wellbeing of learners remain paramount.

“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 appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with officials and engage constructively while intervention measures are being implemented.

Warning against intimidation and disruption

The joint statement also urged affected communities to refrain from acts of intimidation, threats, violence or deliberate disruption of scholar transport operations.

The departments warned that such actions could place learners, drivers, transport operators and members of the public at risk, while also undermining the collective responsibility to protect learners’ right to education.

MECs Thomo and Masina reaffirmed that differences and challenges relating to the implementation of the new scholar transport arrangements should be resolved through dialogue, constructive engagement and established government processes, rather than actions that disrupt learners’ education.

“Challenges will be addressed in pursuit of solutions, and the interests of our learners will remain at the centre of everything we do.”

The departments said they will continue monitoring the situation and implementing interventions aimed at ensuring the smooth operation of scholar transport across Mpumalanga.