Another Unroadworthy SA Roadlink Bus Impounded

Media Statement by Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety

Provincial traffic officials acted swiftly yesterday to remove another unroadworthy SA Roadlink bus, travelling on the N1 near Beaufort West, from the road.

The bus was making its way from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth with 53 passengers on board and was pulled over by the officers who noticed that the bus was unbalanced.

The driver did not have a valid permit for operating on the route and a roadworthy test revealed defective brakes, a smooth tyre, excessive play on the steering mechanism, a faulty front window wiper, a windscreen that is not shatterproof and a defective driver door handle.

The driver was fined for the offences and the traffic officials discontinued the use of the bus and impounded it.

The investigation further revealed that the passengers complained to the driver when the bus departed from Johannesburg, who ignored their pleas for a roadworthy bus.

We cannot tolerate this complete disregard for the rules of the road by public transport vehicles entering the Western Cape and will continue to act without fear or favour against any person or company disobeying road laws and regulations.

I commend the officials for taking such swift action in line with our Safely Home campaign as we must act to increase safety and to get those who act so irresponsibly on our roads off them.

I have asked my colleague, Minister for Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle, to add this to his extensive file of Roadlink safety and compliance and to explore any available administrative sanction to help prevent recurrence.