Scholar transport fleeing police crashes with 17 pupils on board

A vehicle carrying 17 pupils was involved in an accident after the driver attempted to flee police on Monday morning on the N4 near Atteridgeville in Tshwane. 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.

The reckless conduct displayed in this incident is unacceptable, particularly when it involves the lives of our children. “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. This comes after more than 268 scholar transport vehicles have been suspended across KwaZulu-Natal since schools reopened last month. The KZN provincial Department of Transport said 429 drivers have been charged with various offences, including operating unlicensed vehicles, driving without Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs), reckless or negligent driving, and using vehicles with serious defects.