Frustrated parents and learners blockaded roads with burning tyres in Primrose this week after scholar transport operators halted services over months of unpaid fees, leaving thousands of learners unable to get to school.
The protest follows a decision by scholar transport operators to stop operating due to long-standing non-payment by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). The action, which began last week, has disrupted schooling for learners across the province and entered its second week.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) confirmed a protest at the Marathon Informal Settlement in Germiston.
EMPD spokesperson Millicent Kekana said several major intersections were affected, including Main Reef Road, Stanley Street and Johan Rissik Road, where burning tyres and rocks were used to block traffic.
“Officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and the South African Police Service are on the scene monitoring the situation,” Kekana said.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the affected routes and use alternative roads, as traffic is moving slowly.
Political organisations demand urgent action
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Gauteng has called for the urgent resolution of the ongoing scholar transport dispute involving the Gauteng Department of Education, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, and scholar transport operators across the province.
“The continued impasse has resulted in learners being unable to access schooling, thereby undermining their constitutional right to basic education,” said ANCYL provincial secretary Mpume Sangweni.
Sangweni cited Section 29(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to basic education.
“This right is immediately realisable and cannot be limited, suspended or compromised by administrative failures, payment disputes or corruption within the state,” she said.
“Any delay in resolving this matter therefore constitutes a direct violation of the constitutional rights of learners.”
She said that more than a week after the issue was brought to public attention, the payment impasse remained unresolved.
Allegations of extortion and kickbacks
Sangweni raised “serious concern” about allegations that certain officials and politicians are demanding a 20% cut from payments meant for scholar transport operators.
“These alleged acts of extortion effectively hold learners hostage for personal enrichment and represent a gross betrayal of public trust,” she said.
The ANCYL called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations and for decisive action against those implicated.
“The ANCYL Gauteng stands firmly with affected learners, parents and scholar transport operators in calling for the immediate resolution of the payment impasse and the swift restoration of scholar transport services without conditions, kickbacks or unlawful demands,” Sangweni said.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng also condemned what it described as the provincial government’s failure to resolve payment and application processes with scholar transport operators.
“This lack of leadership, planning and foresight has left thousands of learners across the province without reliable transport to school going into the second week,” said EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga.
Months-long payment delays
Dunga said he attended a public meeting last Thursday with parents, learners, bus operators and other stakeholders, where concerns were raised about delayed payments.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government has made it a habit to delay payments to bus operators for work already rendered, for periods ranging between three and four months,” he said.
“This occurs despite allocations having already been made by the national government, with the province routinely hiding behind so-called compliance and administrative issues as excuses for non-payment.”
Dunga said the crisis reflected “corrupt, greedy and selfish politicians” who were willing to jeopardise the future of working-class children.
“The failure to resolve the scholar transport impasse is driven purely by greed, incompetence and a complete lack of empathy for the poor,” he said.
MEC set to meet operators
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is expected to meet with scholar transport service providers on Tuesday afternoon.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona said the meeting aims to chart a way forward in resolving the impasse.
“Following the meeting, the MEC will brief the public on developments arising from ongoing engagements and measures being implemented to ensure uninterrupted learner access to education,” Mabona said.
The briefing is scheduled for after 1.30pm at the Gauteng Department of Education head office in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
Chiloane has previously called for the uninterrupted delivery of scholar transport services as the department works to settle outstanding payments.
In a statement issued on 6 February, he urged calm among stakeholders, saying the department remained engaged with service providers in good faith to reach an amicable and sustainable resolution.
“We reiterate our appeal for the uninterrupted provision of scholar transport services in the best interests of learners who depend on the programme for safe and consistent access to education,” Chiloane said.
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