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3 weeks ago
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A video of pupils pushing a broken-down scholar transport vehicle in Pietermaritzburg has sparked outrage.
Supplied by KZN Transport Department
- A video of pupils pushing a broken-down scholar transport vehicle in Pietermaritzburg has sparked outrage.
- MEC Siboniso Duma has vowed drastic action after a series of deadly scholar transport crashes.
- Fifteen pupils were injured in the latest collision involving a bakkie transporting children in Vryheid.
A video showing primary school pupils pushing a broken-down scholar transport minibus in Pietermaritzburg has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent action to address safety in the sector.
The footage, handed to KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma by the Vehicle Testing Association, highlights the dangerous conditions many pupils face daily while commuting to school.
“This is unacceptable. Clearly, some scholar transport drivers and operators in Pietermaritzburg are enjoying virtual impunity for the violation of traffic rules,” Duma said.
“We are left with no option but to take drastic action to deal with this anarchy.”
The video emerged just hours after a crash in Northdale, where four pupils were injured when a speeding minibus taxi lost control and crashed into guardrails.
Last week, four pupils, including Mthobisi Khambule, were buried after dying in a separate scholar transport accident.
That same week, a driver was arrested after 20 pupils were seriously injured when a minibus taxi plunged off KwaKhetha Bridge in Mpendle, outside Pietermaritzburg.
READ | Second Imbali scholar taxi crash at same location, day after fatal accident
Two weeks ago, a taxi transporting pupils collided with a tree before crashing into a crèche, killing five of the vehicle’s occupants and injuring nine others.
A day later, another scholar transport taxi crashed at the same location, leaving three pupils with minor injuries.
Duma said they will work with the education department, school governing bodies, the South African National Taxi Council and other key role-players to ensure that learning is not disrupted in any way.
He said his department would work with the Vehicle Testing Association to establish who issued roadworthy certificates to some minibus taxis despite clear signs of of the vehicles being unroadworthy.
He added:
We have agreed to work together to isolate elements that are operating vehicles without roadworthy certificates and to ensure that those issuing fraudulent certificates are arrested.
Meanwhile, 15 pupils were injured on Tuesday morning after a serious traffic collision on South Street, Vryheid, involving a car and a bakkie transporting pupils.
The KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service said the collision occurred when the bakkie, carrying pupils aged between 8 and 18 years, collided with the side of the car.
“Three patients sustained serious injuries and were prioritised for urgent transport, while 12 additional patients sustained minor injuries. All 15 injured parties have been transported to local medical facilities for further treatment and care.”
