Johannesburg

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Mikateko Mahlaule, condemns in the strongest possible terms the reported violent and criminal actions by illegal miners, commonly referred to as zama zamas, in Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein, on the West Rand.

Reports that heavily armed illegal miners have threatened residents, forced approximately 300 families – mostly women and children – to flee their homes, and issued threats of murder and child abduction are deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable in a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law and the protection of human dignity.

Mr Mahlaule emphasised that no community should be subjected to fear, intimidation and displacement because of criminal activities linked to illegal mining. Such acts not only undermine the safety and security of communities but also erode the authority of the state and its institutions.

He called upon law-enforcement agencies and all relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively through coordinated efforts to investigate these incidents, dismantle the criminal networks involved and restore peace, safety and normalcy to the affected community in Randfontein. Those responsible must be identified, apprehended and subjected to the full might of the law without fear or favour.

Mr Mahlaule reiterated the committee's support for coordinated, multidepartmental interventions to combat illegal mining and its associated criminality – such as Operation Vala Umgodi – while also addressing the broader socio-economic conditions that give rise to such activities. However, this cannot and must not come at the expense of the safety and wellbeing of law-abiding residents.

He further urged government departments – particularly those responsible for policing, mineral and petroleum resources, and social development – to ensure that displaced families receive the necessary protection and humanitarian support during this period.

The committee of the 5th Parliament conducted oversight visits to illegal mining activities and part of the areas visited included Randfontein. Mr Mahlaule emphasised that the committee will urgently call all the relevant departments to provide an update on the progress made in implementing the recommendations arising from that oversight.

Mr Mahlaule has extended his sympathies to the affected families and reiterated that the committee will continue to exercise its oversight role to ensure that decisive action is taken to safeguard communities and uphold the rule of law.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES, MR MIKATEKO MAHLAULE.

For media enquiries or to request an interview with the Chairperson, please contact Media Officer:
Justice Molafo (Mr)
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has expressed shock at the unfortunate criminality as shown in the dash-cam video of the fatal accident that resulted in the passing of 14 learners in Gauteng.

“What is being shown on social media is pure criminality and no amount of punishment will be sufficient enough to rehabilitate the driver or hold him accountable. What that driver did is the kind of driving our people are subjected to daily by taxi drivers,” said Mr Feni.

The committee sent its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the parents, families who have lost children in the accident. “It is unfortunate that it is this kind of hot heads that are responsible for the transportation of our people daily. And it is unfortunate that there is nothing the taxi associations could do as they hardly ever reflect or take accountability.”

Mr Feni said law enforcement agencies must make this driver accountable and include a possible ban from ever driving on South Africa's roads.

A dash cam footage of how the accident occurred has been revealed on social media. A 14 seater minibus taxi, seeks to overtake numerous vehicles on a narrow two-way road. When the driver realises an oncoming vehicle he drives off the road on the side of the oncoming traffic but does not make it on time. The minibus was hit, instantly killing all the learners onboard.

“It seems nothing will make taxi drivers change their behaviour and make them respect traffic laws. Police should be given full powers to handle criminality on our roads as it relates to driver behaviour. The road network is a shared service which demands that drivers respect other road users,” Mr Feni said.

Gauteng Education MEC also made known that the drivers' behaviour had been an issue before and that it was reported.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCES AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, MR MAKHI FENI.

For media enquiries, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Dr Mmusi Maimane, has expressed profound shock and sadness following a devastating road accident involving a private scholar transport vehicle, which claimed the lives of 13 school learners from the Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark areas of Gauteng.

Dr Maimane and members of the committee convey their heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, schools and communities affected by this tragic loss. Dr Maimane described the incident as a painful reminder of the daily dangers facing many learners as they try to access education.

“This tragedy should never have happened. The loss of young lives in this manner is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing and highlights long-standing and systemic challenges in scholar transport across the country. Through its oversight work, including a recent oversight visit in the Eastern Cape, the committee repeatedly identified scholar transport as a critical weakness that undermines learners' constitutional right to basic education and places their safety at unacceptable risks,” said Dr Maimane.

Dr Maimane said the committee is of the firm view that public funding of scholar transport is a critical and urgent matter that requires coordinated national intervention. In this regard, the Standing Committee on Appropriations has formally requested an urgent engagement with the Department of Transport, the Department of Basic Education, and all nine provincial MECs for Education to address scholar transport provision, safety standards, funding adequacy and regulatory oversight.

“The committee has observed consistent patterns across provinces, including insufficient funding for scholar transport, limited coverage that forces learners to walk long distances, and the use of unsafe or unregulated private transport. Where transport is provided, there are ongoing concerns about overcrowding, unroadworthy vehicles and inadequately licenced drivers,” Dr Maimane said. He stressed that these challenges cannot be addressed by provinces acting in isolation and require a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach between national and provincial government departments.

“We must work together to find long-term, sustainable solutions that ensure learner transport is safe, dependable, properly regulated and adequately funded. If we fail to act with urgency, we risk more preventable tragedies like this one,” he warned.

Dr Maimane concluded by saying that the Standing Committee on Appropriations expects this matter to receive serious consideration during the upcoming budget process and is hopeful that the Minister of Finance will consider the urgent need to strengthen funding and oversight for scholar transport when tabling the 2026 National Budget.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, DR MMUSI MAIMANE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the committee Chairperson, please contact:
Name: Jabulani Majozi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, has noted with grave concern and deep sadness the shooting incident earlier today outside the Booysens Magistrate's Court, which resulted in the deaths of two people.

Mr Nqola emphasised that safety and security in and around court facilities must be treated as an absolute priority. “Safety in and at our courts is non-negotiable. No member of the public or any official should ever fear accessing justice in our country,” the Chairperson said.

Reports indicate that three other individuals were wounded during the incident outside the court.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives today. While we strongly condemn this senseless act of violence, we call on all law enforcement agencies to work together to ensure that all necessary measures are implemented to safeguard court users and personnel. We also wish those who were injured a speedy recovery,” Mr Nqola said.

The Chairperson further noted that during previous oversight visits, the committee raised concerns regarding security shortcomings at some court facilities, including non-functioning security scanners at court entrances. “We therefore call on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, to ensure that all safety protocols are strictly adhered to and fully implemented at all courts,” he said.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MR XOLA NQOLA.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, has noted with grave sadness the devastating road accident involving a private scholar transport vehicle, in which the lives of 13 school learners from the Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark areas, south of Johannesburg, were tragically lost.

Ms Maimela said the tragedy is particularly painful given that schools have only been open for three days in the 2026 academic year.

“With only three school days so far in 2026, we are already confronted with this immense loss. It is deeply heartbreaking that parents who entrusted their children to be safely transported to school will now no longer hear their voices or see their smiling faces. We extend our sincere condolences to the parents, families and affected school communities during this unimaginably difficult time,” said Ms Maimela.

Preliminary reports from authorities indicate that the minibus taxi transporting the learners was involved in a collision with a side-tipper truck. The impact reportedly forced the minibus off the road, resulting in the catastrophic loss of life.

Ms Maimela also expressed concern for the five other learners who sustained critical injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment. “We wish the injured learners a speedy and full recovery and hold them and their families in our thoughts,” she said.

The Chairperson further emphasised the importance of psychosocial support for affected learners, families, educators and school communities. She called on the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with provincial education departments and relevant stakeholders, to ensure that counselling and trauma-support services are urgently made available to help those affected cope with the emotional and psychological impact of the tragedy.

The Chairperson has called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. She said the incident once again highlights persistent concerns regarding the safety and regulation of scholar transport vehicles.

“This tragic loss of young lives underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight, enforcement of road safety regulations and accountability within the scholar transport sector. Authorities are expected to intensify scrutiny in the wake of this incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” Ms Maimela said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.