MEC Masemola spits fire over scholar transport “sardines”

Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola has expressed outrage at an incident in Bela-Bela where a traffic officer counted upwards of 58 learners packed like “sardines” in a minibus taxi.

He also warned lawbreakers on the roads that law enforcement officials will continue to apply zero tolerance.

“The 14-seater Toyota Quantum was impounded and the driver arrested on charges relating to overloading, after the driver was found to be transporting 58 learners. The incident happened in the
Bela-Bela area and a video, of the children climbing out of the scholar transport vehicle and being counted by a traffic official, has since gone viral on social media,” Masemola said in a
statement.

Masemola said with the new school year, the necessity for the transportation of learners has risen as well as the opportunities for scholar transport businesses.

“Unfortunately, some operators misuse the opportunity and infringe on the law, putting lives at risk.”

He further urged parents to ensure that the vehicles that transport their loved ones are fully compliant with the law, and schools are urged to be vigilant and assist in ensuring that this kind
of “abhorrent practice by unscrupulous operators” do not occur.

Masemola confirmed that the vehicle was not registered with the department for any category of Public Transportation in the province.

— The BEAT