A 49-year-old driver was arrested for overloading 32 learners in a Toyota Hi-ace taxi that is certified to carry 15 passengers. He was arrested by North West Traffic Authorities along the Vryburg road next to Caltex garage in Mahikeng.
The driver is allegedly transporting the learners from Tlou village to schools around Montshioa and he’s overloading the same number of pupils on daily basis with the arrangement of paying R300 per learner on monthly basis.
Traffic Authorities have since opened a case of overloading and issued traffic fines worth R2 000 for permit and PdP. The driver is currently detained at the Mmabatho police station and is expected to appear at the Mmabatho Magistrate Court within 48 hours.
North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi pleaded to parents to monitor their children’s transporters to guard against such issues. “This is a matter of value for money; parents must ensure that their children are transported with roadworthy vehicles and that they are not overloaded because that exposes them to danger.”
“Overloading is one of the contributory factors that cause high number of fatalities on our road,” said Maloyi, who further appealed to traffic officers to be harsh when dealing with such offenders.
Enquiries: Simon Lesolang Mmope (Acting Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 4826
Cell: 082 574 7621
Fax: 018 391 0328
E-mail: smmope@nwpg.gov.za
