The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned threats from scholar transport operators following the impounding of unroadworthy vehicles, describing their actions as showing "arrogance and unpreparedness" in complying with the law. According to ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu, the law must address the "nonchalant and indifferent attitude" of the scholar transport and taxi industry equally. This response came after more than 60 scholar transport vehicles were impounded during an operation led by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, on an unspecified date in January 2026.

The impoundments followed a tragic scholar transport accident where 14 school children died in a collision between a minibus and a truck. Operators threatened to halt services for learners after the Department of Transport's unannounced blitz targeted unroadworthy minibus taxis. The Scholar Transport Association claimed they were "ambushed and bullied," seeking a peaceful protest to discuss pending permits.

Urgent Calls for Regulation and Policy Overhaul

Bhengu highlighted grave concerns over the scholar transport accident deaths and the industry's state, urging stricter regulation through enforcement and a policy revamp. She noted shortcomings including unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, non-compliance, reckless driving, and disrespect toward commuters and road users. Bhengu encouraged parents to select safer services for their children and insisted non-compliant vehicles must be impounded.

Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries chairperson Makhi Feni called for accountability, suggesting law enforcement hold the minibus driver responsible, possibly with a driving ban. He stated, "It seems nothing will make taxi drivers change their behaviour and make them respect traffic laws," advocating full powers for police to address road criminality. The Public Servants Association (PSA) criticized government's reactive responses, proposing a National Scholar Transport Imbizo involving multiple stakeholders to create an enforceable action plan, close regulatory gaps, and implement safety standards.

Struggle stalwart and ANC Veterans League member Kedibone Mokgotsi described the rising death toll from the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport accident as traumatic and deeply painful.

She insisted the minibus driver and owner must answer serious questions, noting, "We are still counting young souls dying in that manner."

The PSA emphasized multisector action as essential to end reactive messaging and achieve systemic reform. No direct response from the Scholar Transport Association beyond their initial statements was available as of 23 January 2026. Attempts to reach them for further comment were not specified in sources.