JOHANNESBURG - The ANC Gauteng Youth League is set to lay a formal complaint against the provincial Education Department.
The department and subsidised scholar transport providers have failed to reach an agreement, leaving thousands of pupils in the province stranded since the beginning of February.
The Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council (GASBOC) says operators have not been paid for three months.
READ: Thousands of Gauteng learners stranded as subsidised scholar transport goes on strike
“Children will not be used as collateral,” the Council said in a statement, after the department urged service providers to return to work while invoices are being sorted. The department and the Council met on Friday, but no agreement was reached.
“It is unacceptable that children who come to school eager to learn and build a better future are denied their right to education,” said Youth League secretary Mpume Sangweni.
“We call for the immediate payment of all outstanding service providers and the urgent restoration of school services,” she added.
READ: No pay, no transport: Gauteng learners left stranded as strike continues
Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department is actively engaging with transport providers to resolve outstanding payments.
“This was not an emotional or reckless decision,” said GASBOC Secretary Paul Zikhali.
“Our members carefully assessed what was presented and found it impossible to implement without compromising operational viability and, ultimately, scholar safety.”
It is not yet clear when the Gauteng Education Department will make a payment or when the strike will end.