Gauteng scholar transport halts over unpaid invoices
Operators contracted by the Gauteng department of education stopped services on Monday morning, leaving hundreds of children without transport to school. They say they have not been paid since August, while matric pupils are still writing exams.
Gauteng Small Bus Operations posted a notice on social media saying the operators have run out of diesel. The group says its invoices for August and September are still unpaid, and that employees are also not paid. An official of the Greater Gauteng Leaner Transport Organisation confirmed the suspension.
The operators say the department's failure to pay, and its refusal to commit to future payment, harms the education of pupils. Reports say this is the second halt over non-payment in 2026.
Gauteng Small Bus Operations says it wrote to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The letter warned that services would stop if service providers were not paid urgently.
Key facts
- Who
- Panyaza Lesufi (Gauteng premier, letter from Gauteng Small Bus Operations said to have been…); Cyril Ramaphosa (President, letter from Gauteng Small Bus Operations said to have been sent to…); Greater Gauteng Leaner Transport Organisation (organisation whose official confirmed the suspension); Gauteng Small Bus Operations (scholar transport operators who posted the notice on social media)
- What
- Scholar transport operators in Gauteng, represented by the Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council, suspended services over unpaid bills, disrupting school access for pupils including matriculants writing final examinations. Operators say the department owes them an estimated R450m-plus, and that fuel costs and non-payment are hurting their businesses.
- When
- 2 November 2026
- Where
- Gauteng, West Rand, Tshwane
- Status
- Reported