STOP THIS BUS NOW! 

Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Makoppa – The Makoppa community is raising the alarm. Parents and residents say they have been voicing concerns for months about a bus transporting learners daily between Makoppa and Sentrum (we’re not going to mention to which school) – but feel they are not being heard.

Platinum Bushvelder has received repeated complaints about the condition of the bus and the manner in which it is allegedly being driven. 

Since December last year, we have contacted the bus operator, school representatives, Department of Transport, and Department of Education (DOE) officials through calls, messages and emails.

Despite these efforts, no clear written assurance or documented confirmation has been provided to address the concerns raised. Some messages went unanswered. Others resulted in referrals without resolution. In certain cases, communication was blocked and rude. 

What residents are saying…

• Community members allege that:
• The bus appears not roadworthy.
• It breaks down regularly.
• Learners sometimes miss school due to breakdowns.
• The driver allegedly travels at high speed on gravel roads.

Residents say they have personally observed learners travelling in the vehicle despite its visible condition.

What we found…

• When the bus was located at the school premises, the following was observed:
• A rear registration
• Missing front bumper
• No front number plate displayed
• Damaged windscreen
• Licence disc and operator card displayed as valid until 30 September 2026
• Operator card registered 

Why this matters
Earlier this year, South Africa was shaken by tragedy when 14 schoolchildren lost their lives in a scholar transport accident near Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal region of Gauteng. The January crash renewed national concern about the safety and compliance of vehicles transporting learners daily. For parents in Makoppa, that tragedy is a painful reminder of what can happen when warning signs are ignored.

A community plea
At the time of publication, no formal statement addressing the specific safety concerns had been received from the transport operator, the Department of Education, or the Department of Public Transport.

When we visited the school, we were referred away and advised to contact the Department of Education. Direct contact details for the principal were not provided, and WhatsApp messages sent to the school number remain unanswered. Despite repeated efforts to engage through official channels, the concerns raised by parents have not been formally addressed.

For Makoppa families, this is deeply frustrating. They say they are not asking for conflict — they are asking for reassurance and solutions. 

Their message is simple: 

• Inspect the buses. 
• Confirm compliance. 
• Put our children’s safety first.