WATCH | RTI nabs overloaded scholar transport carrying 23 pupils in PMB

Road Transport Inspectorate (RTI) officers intercepted a minibus taxi transporting 23 pupils in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday morning, exceeding the vehicle’s legal capacity. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said the vehicle was only permitted to carry 16 pupils. He added that the driver did not have a valid Professional Driving Permit (PrDP).

“The vehicle had no door handle and several other defects. The roadworthy certificate is also in question,” said Duma. “RTI officers acted swiftly to protect learners from an overloaded and unroadworthy scholar transport vehicle.” Duma said that since schools reopened on January 14, authorities have suspended more than 268 scholar transport vehicles for being unroadworthy. In addition, 429 drivers have been charged with various offences, including operating unlicensed vehicles, reckless or improper driver behaviour, and vehicle defects.