Pretoria - The Department of Transport in the Eastern Cape has prosecuted 173 scholar transport operators since the start of the academic year on Wednesday.
The operators, who were stopped at special operations as part of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan, were prosecuted for driving without a licence, driving unlicensed or unregistered vehicles, overloading and driving vehicles with defective steering wheels.
Department officials also caught six learner drivers who were ferrying learners without supervision.
Roads, Transport and Public Works MEC, Thandiswa Marawu, said the department was committed to safeguarding the lives of school children.
"The increased visibility of traffic officers will be a norm as we want to ensure that this year, we start to make our own contribution to the Decade of Action for Road Safety Campaign," said Marawu.
The department has urged residents to report road accidents and incidents, including misbehaviour on the province's roads, misuse of government vehicles, damaged road signs and potholes through the toll free number 0800 644 644.
