EAST LONDON– Scholar transport services across the Eastern Cape officially resumed on Wednesday, 16 October 2025 following an agreement between the provincial government and transport service providers.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed the resolution during a media briefing held on Tuesday, 15 October at the Mandla Makupula Education Leadership Institute in East London. The meeting brought together stakeholders from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the province and the bus industry to resolve the service disruption caused by delayed payments to transport operators.
“The matter of outstanding payments to taxi operators has been addressed and scholar transport services are now back to normal,” Mabuyane said. “We are aware that some operators have not been paid, and the department is currently processing those payments.”
The interruption began on Monday, 13 October when taxi operators suspended transport services due to non-payment. This left around 700 Grade 12 learners unable to attend school a concerning setback during the critical exam preparation period. For the current financial year, the provincial government has allocated R725 million towards scholar transport.
This budget is intended to support 112,000 learners from disadvantaged communities across rural and urban areas of the province. Despite challenges, 70% of the budget has already been used.
Furthmore Premier Mabuyane stressed the importance of prioritising learners. “Our children must never become collateral in disputes. We must always place their safety and education above all else. That is why we have committed to ensuring that by 15 November 2025, all outstanding payments to taxi owners will be finalised. We do not want to face the same challenges next year.”
Representing the bus industry, provincial secretary Manelisi Washington Siguqa said that the disruption could have been avoided. “After long deliberations, we agreed to resume transporting learners from 16 October. The core issue was non-payment. Initially, the department committed to paying us by the 25th of each month. When they couldn’t meet that, they promised payment within 30 days of submitting invoices but even that wasn’t honoured. This entire situation stems from those broken promises.”
In addition the Department of Transport and SANTACO have confirmed that the shutdown has been officially called off and that payment processing is currently underway.
Photograph: Supplied
