Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha’s response to a viral video that shows learners attempting to cross a flooded river to get to school shows just how out of touch the MEC and his department are with the reality that the people of this province are facing.

The MEC has issued a statement calling on parents and learners not to risk their lives crossing flowing rivers and streams to get to school.

The Democratic Alliance agrees with MEC Nqatha that no child should risk their life to go to school, but we would go even further to say that no child should ever be placed in a situation where such a choice is necessary.

The video circulating is the direct result of a Transport Department that has failed the people of this province. It has failed to provide these children with safe transport, it has failed to provide safe roads and it has clearly failed to provide safe bridges to cross flooded rivers.

The MEC’s solution is to encourage learners to stay home and forfeit their education and their futures. He should be cracking the whip within his Department to ensure these children get to school safely.

The DA has been calling for urgent intervention in the collapsed scholar transport system in the province, as it is clear the Transport Department and MEC Nqatha are out of their depth.

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