Pretoria - Transport Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele, has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify enforcement operations on public transport vehicles.
This follows a bus crash early on Wednesday morning where 23 people were killed on the N1 highway between De Doorns and Touwsrivier in the Western Cape.
"No mercy must be shown to public transport operators and drivers who compromise the safety of passengers. Reports that certain bus drivers often drive long distances alone for up to 17 hours at a time is inhumane and totally unacceptable.
"With 36 days to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, safe, efficient and reliable public transport for South Africans and visitors alike is a priority," Ndebele said.
He added that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) was working in conjunction with the South African Police - including Cross Border Road Transport Agency, provincial and local traffic law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders on the implementation of the 2010 World Cup Road Safety Plan.
The plan will ensure appropriate traffic law enforcement on identified routes with high traffic volumes as well as routes leading to and from host cities, airports, hotels, stadia, fan parks, public viewing areas and other places of interest.
"National, provincial and host city control centres as well as mobile control centres will be in operation during peak traffic flow periods and match days.
"There will also be high visibility traffic patrols along key routes, random roadside checks will also be conducted targeting unfit drivers and vehicle," he said adding that all weighbridges will be manned around the clock, particularly along critical corridors,
Since January, more than 4 000 vehicles, including more than 1 000 minibus taxis and buses were removed from the roads for being un-roadworthy.
Ndebele conveyed condolences to the families and relatives of the victims killed during the crash and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
