The North West Department of Public Safety has in the past week scrapped 37 unroadworthy busses in an effort to reduce accidents involving public transport. The provincial department embarked on a special project to test busses for roadworthiness last week to ensure that public transport, particularly busses that transport most believers to church festivities, including the Zion Christian Church pilgrimage in Moria, are fit to perform the task.
A progress report on the project meant to reduce accidents involving public transport was announced by MEC for the department, Howard Yawa, in his Speed to Easter Arrive Alive Campaign Launch speech delivered at the Mmabatho Convention Centre on Thursday.
Although 600 busses are targeted for testing throughout the province, only 93 were tested by Wednesday. Initially, fifty-six busses failed due to minor defects. Thirty-seven were retested after minor repairs and 37 of them passed. Testing in Rustenburg, which has the largest bus fleet in the province, was delayed due to misinformation about an alleged strike by municipal traffic officers who are not vehicle examiners.
It has since been established that there was no strike involving traffic officers in Rustenburg Local Municipality but attempts by traffic officers to cloud the suspension of four of their colleagues who are facing disciplinary action for defying their seniors.
The provincial Department of Public Safety will in the coming week focus its effort on testing in Rustenburg and appeals to bus companies operating in the area to voluntarily bring in their busses for testing.
The roadworthiness of busses is critical for the Easter long weekend private hire for long distances as it is part of ensuring that the public transport system is ready for the Football World Cup as Rustenburg is the host city for some of the games to be played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
26 March 2010
