JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has vowed that scholar transport operators will resume services on Monday.
The department has committed to paying the outstanding balances owed to them by the end of this week.
Many pupils in Gauteng have not been attending school after operators downed tools over the ongoing payment dispute.
Chiloane said initially they owed three months, but upon investigations found that they owed two months.
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The MEC said payments for December have been made, leaving November outstanding.
He said outstanding invoices for November 2025 will be processed and paid by the end of the current week.
Matome acknowledge the frustration and distress experienced by pupils, parents and communities during this period.
He said the disruption of scholar transport services is not a situation they take lightly, and regret the inconvenience caused.
But the ANC Youth League has no intention of letting this slide.
Gauteng ANCYL Chairperson Ntsako Mogobe said there is no brotherhood engagement with the Gauteng education which he says is infringing on the rights of students.
“It is uncalled for; we are on the side of the pupils and parents,” Mogobe said.
The group is demanding urgent action, saying children's futures are at risk.
Mogobe said they have also turned to the South African Human Rights Commission.
“We have seen this movie before. The Gauteng Education Department seems to have a huge problem in terms of making payments. We will not keep quiet now. Education is a serious issue," Mogobe said.