NATIONAL NEWS - KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has ordered an urgent audit of private scholar transport across the Umgungundlovu District following another accident in Pietermaritzburg that left four learners injured.
The crash occurred in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 22 September, when a speeding minibus taxi driver lost control of his vehicle and slammed into guardrails. The driver has been reported to have fled the scene of a crash.
This is the third incident in Pietermaritzburg in less than two weeks.
In a statement, Duma condemned the incidents, describing as “virtual impunity” enjoyed by some scholar transport operators who routinely flout traffic rules.
“Clearly, some scholar transport drivers and operators in Pietermaritzburg are enjoying virtual impunity for the violation of traffic rules. As the Department of Transport, we are left with no option but to take drastic action to deal with this anarchy,” Duma said.
Duma has instructed the department to collaborate with all municipalities under Umgungundlovu District to conduct a comprehensive audit of private scholar transport.
He said the process will also involve the Department of Education, school governing bodies, the South African National Taxi Council, and other key stakeholders to ensure learner transport remains safe and uninterrupted.
The MEC also raised concerns about the issuing of fraudulent roadworthiness certificates to minibus taxis that are clearly unfit for the road.
“In this regard, we will work with the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA). As announced last week, 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,” Duma said.
Other areas of collaboration with the VTA involve the introduction of reforms such as:
- Strengthen legislation governing the taxi and scholar transport industry, with clear provisions on driver vetting, vehicle standards, and operational oversight.
- Enforcing stricter compliance and accountability measures across the province, supported by transparent reporting and independent audits.
- Require biannual Certificates of Roadworthiness for all heavy passenger vehicles, replacing the current annual requirement.
- Ensure that all minibuses are inspected within the KZN province at accredited municipal or private testing facilities, and in alignment with their designated route permits. – SAnews.gov.za
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