ALBERTON — A video circulating on TikTok shows Parklands High School principal Robert Brown confronting scholar transport drivers who are alleged to have been drinking alcohol with female learners. The incident took place on 6 August in a park-and-collection area near the Alberton Civic Centre and Ring Road East, and prompted police to escort three drivers and learners to the Alberton Police Station pending investigation.
What happened
The footage, shared by local media and reposted on social platforms, shows the principal confronting men seated inside a police vehicle. In the video the principal demands to know why adults were in the vehicle with learners, asking:
“You’re trying to impress 14‑year‑olds? For what? Why are you in the car with 14‑year‑olds?”
According to community reporting and the Alberton Record, members of the Greater Alberton Education Transport Cooperative Limited (GAETCOI) alerted police and the principal after they discovered crates of beer, plastic cups and a five‑litre container of wine inside the minibus used for scholar transport.
Who was involved
Parklands High’s principal Robert Brown is seen taking a hands‑on role in confronting the men. GAETCOI representatives reportedly assisted in alerting police. The Alberton Police then escorted the three drivers and the learners to Alberton Police Station where a docket was opened and investigations were under way.
Community reaction and concerns
The video has prompted strong responses on social media, with commenters praising the principal’s intervention and calling for greater vigilance around scholar transport. One user on the platform wrote that more principals like Brown were needed, while another highlighted the danger of adults drinking in the presence of learners.
Parents and schools rely on scholar transport operators to provide safe, reliable lifts to and from school. Incidents that suggest alcohol, poor supervision or inappropriate conduct with learners raise immediate child‑protection, criminal and regulatory concerns. Community members said they want urgent clarity from police and the school about what happened and what steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Legal and safety steps
At the time of publication, police had removed the drivers and learners to Alberton Police Station for investigation. The presence of alcohol in a vehicle used to convey learners is likely to be investigated under road safety and child‑protection laws; any formal charges will be determined by the outcome of the police investigation and the prosecuting authority.
- Where: Parklands High School scholar transport parking area near Alberton Civic Centre and Ring Road East.
- When: Incident reported on 6 August, before midday.
- Who: Principal Robert Brown, GAETCOI representatives, three scholar transport drivers and learners.
- Evidence reported: TikTok video, crates of beer, plastic cups and a five‑litre wine container inside a minibus.
Background — scholar transport in Gauteng
Many Gauteng learners depend on scholar transport operators to get to school. These services are regulated through municipal by‑laws and provincial education guidelines that set standards for vehicle roadworthiness, driver fitness and child safety. Cooperatives such as GAETCOI often work with schools and parents to coordinate routes and oversight.
When incidents like this surface, they expose gaps in supervision and enforcement. Schools, parents and transport co‑operatives share responsibility for vetting drivers, monitoring behaviour and ensuring vehicles are fit for purpose. Where criminal conduct is alleged, SAPS lead the probe and the matter may be referred to the provincial education department for disciplinary or administrative action.
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 August |
| Location | Parking area near Alberton Civic Centre and Ring Road East |
| Authorities involved | GAETCOI representatives, Alberton Police, Parklands High principal |
| Items found | Crates of beer, plastic cups, five‑litre wine container |
What parents should do
Parents whose children use scholar transport services can take immediate steps to protect their children while authorities investigate:
- Confirm the identity and contact details of the driver and operator for their child’s route.
- Ask the school for copies of vetting documentation and the transport operator’s registration with the relevant cooperative or municipality.
- Report any suspicious behaviour to the school and SAPS immediately and insist on a written update about corrective measures taken.
The matter remains under police investigation at Alberton Police Station. Further details, including whether charges will be laid, will depend on the outcome of that probe and any statements obtained from the learners and the adults involved.
— Gauteng correspondent
