The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has raised alarm over the persistent non-compliance of private scholar transport operators, two months after a fatal crash in Vanderbijlpark claimed the lives of 14 children.
In January, camera footage captured the Vanderbijlpark accident, showing what authorities described as gross negligence by the driver, who has since been charged with murder. The tragedy underscored ongoing safety concerns in the scholar transport sector.
Recent law enforcement operations across all provinces reveal the scale of the problem. Of 5 386 scholar transport vehicles stopped and checked last week, 1 028 were found to be operating in violation of traffic laws.
The RTMC said most offending vehicles – 589 – were privately owned, while 146 were contracted by parents, 95 were contracted by the Department of Transport and 11 were contracted by the Department of Basic Education. Seven were school owned.
“Many were found to be operating without the necessary public scholar transport permits, while others were driven by drivers who did not possess, or failed to produce driving licences and professional driving permits,” the RTMC said on Monday.
Inspections revealed numerous defects relating to tyres, brakes and rear stop lamps.
Law enforcement issued 500 traffic fines, impounded 219 vehicles and discontinued two vehicles.
Most transgressors were aged between 18 and 35 years, followed by those aged between 35 and 45 years.
The RTMC said private scholar transport operators continue to exhibit an intractable attitude and unwillingness to comply with passenger regulation, despite high-profile fatal crashes and intensified law enforcement.
In the same week, 418 other motorists were arrested for drunken driving. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of drunken driving arrests, while Mpumalanga impounded and discontinued the highest number of vehicles.
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