Scholar transport compliance 2026: RTMC targets unsafe operators in nationwide crackdown

Transport authorities have intensified enforcement operations targeting scholar transport operators, with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) confirming that “a total of 1,607 road users including scholar transport operators have been caught and arrested for committing various offences.

The RTMC said the arrests were for offences including drunken driving, producing false driving documentation, driving recklessly, operating on the roads without driving permits, and overloading both goods and passengers”.

The arrests come after 12 children died last month when a scholar transport taxi crashed head on into a truck in Vanderbijlpark, in Gauteng. 

Authorities said the operations form part of stepped-up efforts “to deal with deviant driver behaviour by scholar transport operators”.

This week’s law enforcement operations “placed strong emphasis on vehicle roadworthiness and load management,” as “unroadworthy vehicles continue to pose a serious risk on South African roads and contribute to fatal crashes”.

According to the figures released, “about 313 K78 roadblocks were conducted in the country by traffic law enforcement officials where 259,162 vehicles were stopped and checked, 64,189 drivers were issued with traffic fines, 1,573 arrests and 34 pedestrians arrested, totalling 1,607 road users arrested for these offences.”

Officials further stated that “vehicles with mechanical defects often struggle to stop effectively or respond to emergencies, leading to avoidable incidents.”

As part of the weekly enforcement efforts, “964 vehicles were discontinued, and 1,576 vehicles were impounded.”

In the Western Cape, a man was caught on the N1 near De Doorns driving above the legal alcohol limit. Authorities confirmed that “the alcohol reading was 2.52 mg/1000 ml. He was arrested and detained at a nearby police station.”

Also in the province, “a male driver was caught driving at 199 km/h, exceeding the legal speed limit of 120 km/h on the N1 near Beaufort West.”

Transport authorities have indicated that enforcement operations will continue nationwide as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and ensure compliance among scholar transport operators.

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