Founded in 1922 | Banned in 1950 | Re-established in 2003
22 January 2026 – The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) conveys its revolutionary condolences to the families, classmates and communities of the 13 learners killed on Monday, 19 January 2026, when a private scholar transport minibus collided with a truck on the R553 near Vanderbijlpark. Since schools reopened on 14 January 2026, fatal scholar transport crashes have already occurred in Debe Nek (Eastern Cape), Pinetown (KwaZulu-Natal) and now Vanderbijlpark (Gauteng).
On Wednesday, 21 January 2026, the YCLSA formally wrote to:
- President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy
- Minister of Basic Education, Lungi Gwarube
- Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi
In these letters, we have tabled the following urgent demands:
- The Scraping of Regulation 250. We are saying, “One child, one seat.”
We demand the immediate scrapping of Regulation 250 of the National Road Traffic Act, which allows three children to occupy two seats.
- Vicarious liability. Jail the owners too, not only the driver
We demand that the owner of any scholar transport vehicle involved in a fatal crash linked to overloading, an expired PrDP, or unroadworthy status be criminally charged alongside the driver.
- The creation of a national scholar transport safety framework
We call for a joint, binding mechanism involving the Department of Transport, Department of Basic Education, Police and traffic services, provinces, SALGA, organised labour and community youth formations.
- Make schools the gatekeepers of road safety in their communities
The relevant enforcement bodies and authorities must require every school to maintain a Scholar Transport Register (STR) capturing driver details and a valid PrDP; vehicle details, roadworthy status and licence disc, as well as the approved maximum capacity of all vehicles in their scholar transport registry.
Youth to the front. Rescue the NDR. Advance towards People’s Power.
For and on behalf of the Young Communist League of South Africa
Mzwandile Thakhudi: YCLSA National Secretary
For media enquiries, contact:
National Spokesperson: Ramatolo Tlotleng | 074 478 4403
Media Liaison Officer: Dineo Mokoena | 073 969 8532
Email:yclsaheadquarters@gmail.com
