Scholar transport allegedly fleeing police crashes in Tshwane

A vehicle carrying 17 pupils was involved in an accident, allegedly after the driver attempted to flee police on Monday morning on the N4 near Atteridgeville in Tshwane. The Witnessreportsthat the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) confirmed that all 17 pupils were taken to hospital and no fatalities were reported. The department said on Monday that law enforcement had unsuccessfully attempted to pull over the nine-seater Toyota Condor and authorities pursued the vehicle, which diverted onto an old dirt road, after which it rejoined the highway and collided with a Mercedes-Benz.

“Scholar transport operators carry a sacred responsibility to ensure the safety of learners. Lawlessness on our roads will not be tolerated,” stated transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela. The department also confirmed the driver was driving without a valid licence.

“The driver must be held accountable for endangering the lives of innocent children through irresponsible behaviour,” the MEC said. The Tshwane crash underscores ongoing concerns about scholar transport safety. Since schools reopened last month, more than 268 scholar transport vehicles have been suspended across KZN, and 429 drivers have been charged with offences including operating unlicensed vehicles, driving without professional permits, reckless or negligent driving, and using vehicles with serious defects.

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Earlier this month, 16 pupils were injured in Mpophomeni near Howick after a scholar transport vehicle was involved in a crash; fortunately, none sustained serious injuries. Breaking news at your fingertips…Follow Caxton Network News onFacebookand join ourWhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak.Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus opFacebooken sluit aan by onsWhatsApp-kanaal.

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