Government Moves to Curb Overloading of Schoolchildren After Seven Pupils Die in Gweru Kombi Incident
Government is preparing new legislation to curb the overloading of schoolchildren in public transport vehicles following last week’s devastating kombi fire in Gweru that claimed the lives of seven young learners.
The proposed reforms were announced by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo during a memorial service held for the victims, as authorities seek to prevent a repeat of one of the country’s deadliest school transport disasters.
Also Read: President Mnangagwa Declares Deadly Gweru School Accident a National Disaster After Seven Pupils Die
Gweru Tragedy Sparks Policy Shift
The fatal incident occurred when a container carrying petrol reportedly ignited inside a commuter omnibus transporting children from school. The blaze engulfed the vehicle, leaving seven pupils dead and dozens of others traumatised.
Addressing mourners, Minister Moyo said the disaster had exposed weaknesses in the regulation of learner transport and underscored the need for stronger safeguards.
He said Government was working with several ministries, law enforcement agencies and local authorities to introduce measures aimed at improving safety standards for vehicles carrying schoolchildren.
Among the planned changes is legislation that will set firm limits on the number of learners permitted in transport vehicles and introduce harsher penalties for operators who violate safety requirements.
Tougher Safety Checks Planned
Authorities also intend to intensify inspections of vehicles used to transport learners. The proposed measures include stricter monitoring of roadworthiness certificates, insurance compliance and routine safety checks.
Government is also targeting the transportation of dangerous substances alongside passengers, following revelations that fuel was being carried inside the vehicle involved in the fatal accident.
Minister Moyo said protecting learners must remain a national priority, stressing that every child deserves safe and properly regulated transport to and from school.
Support for Survivors and Families
The minister revealed that 32 pupils were travelling in the commuter omnibus when the accident occurred. While 25 survived, many continue to receive counselling and psychosocial support to help them cope with the trauma.
He said Government had mobilised psychologists, counsellors, health professionals, schools and churches to assist both survivors and bereaved families. Additional teams from across the country have also been deployed to strengthen the support programme.
Minister Moyo also expressed appreciation to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for declaring the incident a State of Disaster and approving State-assisted funerals for the affected families.
Calls for Safer School Transport
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the reliance on public transport to ferry schoolchildren, particularly in areas where dedicated school transport services are limited.
Education stakeholders and parents have called for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations and greater investment in safer transport options for learners.
Government officials say the forthcoming reforms are intended not only to address overloading but also to establish a more accountable and secure system for transporting schoolchildren across the country.
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