Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Unathi Binqose, confirmed that the department is working around the clock to ensure that all legitimate scholar transport operator claims are processed and paid, following a widespread withdrawal of services across the province in protest against delayed payments.

Binqose said the department met with operators and explained that the delays are due to technical and system-related challenges affecting payment processes.

He added that the protest has had a significant impact on teaching and learning in many parts of the province, particularly in Buffalo City, OR Tambo District, and Chris Hani District.

“The department acknowledges the challenges faced by operators and has deployed officials across all districts who are working tirelessly to process outstanding payments.

“The priority remains to stabilise the system and ensure operators return to the roads to transport learners. We will continue to engage stakeholders in efforts to resolve the matter,” said Binqose.

Provincial Convenor for the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), Mzwandile Nkewana, said they decided to march to the Premier’s Office after the Department of Transport failed them.

He stated that in 2022 and 2024, there were some months in which they were not paid.

“From October to December 2025, some of us were not paid. Then, from January 2026 until now, over 95% of us have not received our payments. This is affecting us, and we have lost some of our members due to depression. We are paying instalments for our cars and feeding our families from this money. We are also paying school fees for our children. If the department treats us this way, it leaves us confused,” said Nkewana.

He added that they have given the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, time, as he promised that some of their problems would be resolved by 7 May 2026.

Nkewana said that after this date, they would sit down and review what the government managed to address. He noted that when they signed their contracts, the fuel escalation, a 6% increase and the rate card were included. “If the department does not honour that, we will explore ways to put pressure on the government.”

According to the Head of the Department of Education, Sharon Maasdorp, about 107 schools across the Buffalo City Education District that utilise scholar transport were severely affected by the protest, with 12,388 learners absent from school that day.

“The protest left learners who rely on scholar transport stranded at their pickup points along the prescribed routes. Additionally, some educators who depend on public transport reported for duty late, as they had to make alternative arrangements to reach their schools,” said Maasdorp.

She added that they are working with the BCM district to ensure lost instructional time is recovered for all affected grades.

“Circuit Managers will oversee the implementation of all these lesson plans across the district. We also want to thank parents who kept us informed from various areas. Of the 107 schools affected, 62 are primary schools, while 44 are senior secondary schools. One secondary school was partly able to ferry 15 learners out of 79 in total.”