JOHANNESBURG – ‘The NEC, with all the cars they drive, must ferry learners to school,’ says ANC Youth League Gauteng Chairperson, Ntsako Mogobe.
Because learners should not miss another day of school, the Youth League says.
Subsidised scholar transport operators in Gauteng are set to get back to work on Monday.
This is after the provincial education department promised to pay their invoices by the end of the week.
READ: ANCYL targets Education Department over transport strike
Mogobe says that the reason the matter was not sorted sooner is a demonstration of the seriousness of the matter in the province. It is the reason they have reported the department to the Human Rights Commission of South Africa.
The Commission has released a report on scholar transport challenges in two other provinces.
READ: Parents protest outside Gauteng premier’s office over ongoing scholar transport strike
“This is a serious matter and we want it to be properly investigated,” said Mogobe.
Members of the Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council (GASBOC) went on strike from 1 February after the department failed to pay them for three months.
“It is unacceptable that children who come to school eager to learn and build a better future are denied their right to education,” the Youth League said in a statement.
READ: GDE to clear full payments this week, scholar transport set to resume on Monday
Mogobe says MEC Matome Chiloane is arrogant and the department does not take invoices seriously.
Chiloane has said that the department has committed to paying the outstanding balances owed to them by the end of this week. He said initially they owed three months, but upon investigations found that they owed two months.
READ: No pay, no transport: Gauteng learners left stranded as strike continues
Payments for December have been made, leaving November outstanding.
He said outstanding invoices for November 2025 will be processed and paid by the end of the current week.
Matome acknowledges the frustration and distress experienced by pupils, parents and communities during this period.
He said the disruption of scholar transport services is not a situation they take lightly, and regrets the inconvenience caused.
READ: Thousands of Gauteng learners stranded as subsidised scholar transport goes on strike
“The department seems to have an issue with paying,” says Mogobe.
“We believe that this is serious mismanagement,” he adds.
It is for this reason that they are taking the matter seriously, so that the department can account for more challenges.
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