A strike by scholar transport operators across the Eastern Cape left thousands of pupils unable to get to school as operators refused to transport learners over long-standing non-payment issues.

Operators gathered at Bhisho Stadium on Wednesday before marching to the Office of Premier Oscar Mabuyane, where they handed over a memorandum of demands..

Advocacy group Equal Education criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, saying it reflects a pattern of systemic failure. To unpack the story Equal education’s Ona Matshaya spoke to Power Breakfast’s Bongi Gwala about the impact of the strike on scholars.