Twelve SBV vehicles pulled off the road
The Mpumalanga traffic authorities have discontinued 12 cash-in-transit vehicles because they were not roadworthy
WHITE RIVER – The Mpumalanga traffic authorities have discontinued 12 cash-in-transit vehicles because they were not roadworthy in an operation that took place today (12 June 2014) at White River Testing Station.
The operation is part of department’s special projects and it was prompted by an accident that claimed two lives yesterday on D2296 Road between KaNyamazane and Mbombela It is suspected that that the cash-in-transit vehicle involved in the crash was not road worthy at the time of the accident.
The vehicles were escorted from their depot in an operation that started around 05h00. The operation is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on vehicles which are not roadworthy in order to prevent injuries and loss of lives on the road.
During the operation, 14 vehicles were tested and only two vehicles were found to be roadworthy. Most of the tested vehicles have travelled in excess of over 400 000 kilometres.
The major defects in the discontinued vehicles include faulty steering mechanisms, defective brakes, electrical problems and oil leakages among others.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has resultantly called on business owners to always ensure that their fleet is roadworthy in order to save lives of other road users.
He added that company owners should not only be concerned about maximizing profits but they also needed to comply with necessary safety measures for the sake of their employees and other people.
“Today’s operation was not only about discontinuing vehicles, but also about ensuring compliance on the part of the owners of the cash-in-transit vehicles. Such operations will continue throughout the province targeting fleet across the whole spectrum of businesses including bus companies, taxis, security companies, delivery vehicles and others,” Shongwe explained.
Shongwe has further called on law enforcement officers not to spur any mercy any vehicle owners who are found not to be complying with the law. He has also called on community members to report any bad driving to authorities so that appropriate steps are taken.
