A total of 15 children aged between two and three were locked inside a taxi and abandoned by their transport driver at the corner of Ralerata and Darius Mhlongo Streets in Mohlakeng on 4 October.
At the time of the incident, traffic officers were stationed at numerous spots in the area, pulling over motorists to do standard traffic checks.
According to traffic officer Frans Matlala, the driver was on his way to deliver the children at a local pre-school. As he approached the stop sign on Ralerata Street he spotted two traffic officers and decided to pull over at the side of the road.
Upon inspection, the vehicle had a licence disc that expired ten years ago.
“He locked his vehicle, leaving 15 children inside with closed windows and decided to take off.
“My colleague and I struggled to open the vehicle to let the children out.
“We put them in the back of our vehicle and took them to the Traffic Department; we could not just leave them there,” says Matlala.
Female traffic officers at the Traffic Department had to leave their work for some time to care of the children.
The officers fed the children and helped others with their school work.
Randfontein Traffic Chief Kenny Mampondo says that the driver is being sought by traffic officers.
“This man has done something completely irresponsible by locking the children inside the car and leaving them there.
“The condition of the vehicle is so bad that it easily could have caused a serious accident.”
He adds that parents and guardians need to take precautionary measures to ensure that people who transport their children to school meet the required standards.
“You need to ask for a driver’s licence and a roadworthy certificate to ensure that your child is travelling in a safe vehicle and is in capable hands,” says Mampondo.
The vehicle has been impounded and further action will be taken against the driver.
