South African officials say the school taxi driver involved in the Vanderbijlpark crash did not have a valid operating licence, authorities announced Wednesday.
The disclosure, made by provincial transport officials, raises immediate questions about the legal status of the vehicle and the oversight of school transport in the area. Officials did not provide further details about the driver’s identity, the nature or severity of casualties, or exactly when the licence lapsed.
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Vanderbijlpark, an industrial city in Gauteng province south of Johannesburg, has long relied on a network of private minibus and school taxis to ferry children and commuters. South African law requires drivers who carry paying passengers, including school-run services, to hold a formal operating licence issued by the relevant transport authority.
“Officials confirmed the absence of a valid operating licence for the taxi involved,” the statement said. “Further details remain subject to the ongoing inquiries.”
Transport and safety experts say operating licences are intended to ensure that vehicles meet safety standards and that drivers are vetted and trained to carry passengers. The absence of such a licence can carry criminal penalties, fines and administrative sanctions for owners and operators if confirmed.
Local law enforcement and provincial transport inspectors are typically responsible for enforcing licensing requirements and investigating incidents. In past high-profile crashes involving passenger vehicles, investigators have examined licensing records, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications and road conditions as part of a broader probe.
The announcement is likely to renew scrutiny on compliance with public-transport regulations, particularly for informal or privately run school taxi services that operate outside established school-bus systems. Safety advocates and parents often press authorities for tighter enforcement after any serious crash involving children.
Provincial officials said they would release additional information as inquiries progress. Meanwhile, families affected by the Vanderbijlpark incident and community leaders are expected to seek clarification about oversight, accountability and any immediate measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Authorities have asked anyone with information about the incident or the vehicle’s operations to contact local police or the provincial transport office. No charges were announced at the time of the statement.
By News-room
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
