AMAOTI, KZN What started as a routine Monday morning school run turned into a scene of panic and relief in Amaoti, north of Durban, when a taxi transporting a full load of school learners caught fire while en route to school.
The incident occurred at approximately 06:52 on Monday morning, according to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA).
RUSA said its operations centre received a frantic call from a member of the public reporting that a red Toyota Hiace taxi, packed with school children, had caught alight while travelling towards the main road in the Amaoti area.
The driver, who was transporting learners from Grade 1 to Grade 4 as well as a crèche learner, reportedly noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. He reacted swiftly, pulling the vehicle off the road and evacuating all the children within seconds.
Moments after the last learner was pulled to safety, the taxi was engulfed in flames.
Photos and videos from the scene, which have since circulated on local community WhatsApp groups, show the taxi completely burnt out, with thick black smoke billowing into the morning sky as residents gathered around.
RUSA officers, who were first on scene, confirmed that all children, aged between 6 and 14 years old, were accounted for.
“Two minors who reportedly inhaled smoke were assessed on scene. No other injuries were reported,” RUSA said in a statement.
Paramedics assessed the two learners for smoke inhalation but they did not require hospitalisation. The remaining learners were left visibly shaken but physically unharmed.
Following the incident, some of the learners were transported to their respective schools in another taxi that was called to the scene, while others who were too distressed remained at the scene with community members until their parents arrived.
The driver, who was also unharmed, told officers at the scene that he was unable to determine what caused the fire. He said the vehicle had been running normally before he suddenly noticed smoke.
The taxi was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is believed to have originated in the engine compartment, but a full investigation will need to determine whether it was due to a mechanical failure, electrical fault, or other factors.
The incident has once again reignited concerns about the safety of scholar transport in KwaZulu-Natal and across South Africa.
In many areas like Amaoti, Inanda, Verulam and Phoenix, parents rely heavily on private minibus taxis and bakkies to transport their children to school daily due to the lack of reliable government scholar transport and the long distances many learners must travel.
Road safety groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the roadworthiness of some scholar transport vehicles, overloading, and the lack of regular vehicle inspections. While many operators are responsible and compliant, others operate old vehicles that are not regularly serviced.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has previously urged parents to verify that the driver they use has a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP), that the vehicle is roadworthy and licensed, and that it is not overloaded.
“Parents must play an active role. Check the vehicle, know the driver, and ensure your child is not put into an overloaded taxi,” an RTMC spokesperson previously warned at the start of the 2025 school year.
Monday’s fire in Amaoti, while not related to a collision, highlights how quickly a mechanical failure can put young lives at risk. Firefighters and road safety experts note that engine fires in Toyota Hiace taxis are often linked to poor maintenance, fuel leaks, or electrical short circuits risks that increase with vehicle age and lack of servicing.
Community members in Amaoti praised the quick thinking of the driver, saying his fast action prevented what could have been a major tragedy.
“If he had delayed by even a minute, we could be talking about injured or dead children. He did well to get them all out,” one resident who assisted at the scene said.
Reaction Unit South Africa confirmed that all children were accounted for and safe, and that the scene was handed over to local authorities for further investigation and clearing.
Parents of the affected learners have been notified. Counselling support is expected to be offered at the schools attended by the children, who are likely to be traumatised by the ordeal.
No case has been opened at this stage, as no foul play is suspected, but the vehicle will be inspected to establish the exact cause of the fire.
Authorities have urged scholar transport operators to ensure their vehicles undergo regular mechanical checks, carry a working fire extinguisher, and avoid overloading.
As the new school term continues, Monday’s incident serves as a stark reminder of the daily risks faced by thousands of learners who depend on private scholar transport and of the thin line between a scare and a tragedy.