Pretoria – A 49-year-old taxi driver, who was arrested by North West traffic officers for loading 32 learners in a vehicle certified to carry 15 passengers, is still detained at the Mmabatho police station.
Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison acting spokesperson, Simon Mmope, said the detained driver was expected to appear before the Mmabatho magistrate court within 48 hours.
According to Mmope, the driver was arrested along the Vryburg road next to Caltex garage in Mahikeng.
The driver was reportedly transporting learners from Tlou village to schools around Montshioa daily, with each learner paying R300 per month.
Mmope said traffic authorities have since opened a case of overloading and issued traffic fines worth R2 000 for a permit and public driver permit.
MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi, has pleaded with parents to monitor their children’s transporters to prevent such issues.
“This is a matter of value for money. Parents must ensure that their children are transported in roadworthy vehicles and that they are not overloaded because that exposes them to danger.
“Overloading is one of the contributory factors that causes a high number of fatalities on our roads,” said Maloyi, who further appealed to traffic officers to be harsh when dealing with such offenders. - SAnews.gov.za
