Successful learner transport blitz in Bonnievale | Western Cape Government

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Successful learner transport blitz in Bonnievale

22 June 2016

This morning (22 June 2016), the Department of Transport and Public Works clamped down on dodgy learner transport operators in Bonnievale. Provincial traffic officers responded to complaints about Wakkerstroom-Wes Primary School, and found that none of the private transport drivers stopped during the raid had the necessary permits to transport learners. In addition, a vehicle which was donated to the school but never registered in the school’s name has allegedly been used by the principal’s husband to transport learners for a daily fee without the necessary permits. The Department made alternative transport arrangements on the day to get learners home safely.

Operators transporting learners are required to comply with the provisions of the National Land Transport Act, including being in possession of a valid operating licence. Their vehicles must be roadworthy, and they must have all the necessary permits to transport learners. Fines in the total amount of R26 400 were issued, and two minibus taxis and a bus were suspended for mechanical problems such as defective parking brakes, faulty lamps, faulty shock absorbers, and wiring problems.

Traffic officials were unable to find two vehicles supposedly contracted by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to provide learner transport to the school. The principal told traffic officers that these transport vehicles had already left the premises and would return in the afternoon. A bus found parked on the school premises was allegedly donated to the school five years ago by an organisation called Shiloh Synergy. However, this bus has never been registered in the school’s name. The principal’s husband has allegedly been operating this vehicle for the last five years to transport learners at a cost of R4 per learner per day. The principal claimed that the WCED is aware of this arrangement. This bus was found to have false licence discs, which were confiscated, and it was suspended for mechanical defects. In addition, the alleged operator of this bus does not have an operating licence or a permit to transport learners. Fines were issued for these offences. The WCED will be asked to check whether its learner transport arrangements with the school are in good order.

A taxi driver escaped from officers near the Ashton Testing Centre, parked his vehicle, and fled in another taxi. The man was later apprehended and fined for failing to comply with the instructions of a traffic officer, and for operating a defective vehicle.

This operation highlighted some of the serious threats to the safety of children travelling to and from school every day. It is the responsibility of owners of learner transport vehicles to ensure that these are roadworthy and appropriate for the transportation of learners, and to have all the necessary permits.

We call on parents and caregivers to join hands with us in our efforts to protect school children. This includes taking every practical step to check that private operators transporting their children always use safe, roadworthy and reliable vehicles, and that drivers have legal authorisation to transport learners.

Media Enquiries: 

Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: byron.lahoe@westerncape.gov.za

You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW