Watch as 58 learners exit overloaded ‘scholar transport vehicle’ in Limpopo
The MEC of Transport and Community Safety, Namane Dickson Masemola has since condemned this "abhorrent practice by unscrupulous operators"
LIMPOPO – 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.
58 LEARNERS IN A 14 SEATER😱 WHO TRANSPORTS YOUR KIDS???!@cci_network @_ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/lVtuW6FGfx
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) January 20, 2020
Masemola says 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.”
Read more: 44 people found crammed in a 22 seater bus outside Polokwane, 7 of them children
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. He also warned lawbreakers on the roads that law enforcement officials will continue to apply zero tolerance.
