Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The North West Department of Education MEC, Viola Motsumi, has condemned the persistent overloading of scholars in public transport, following a shocking incident where traffic officers impounded a 15-seater minibus taxi found transporting 29 learners to school. The incident this week prompted the MEC to issue a firm statement, appealing to all stakeholders to prioritise the safety of learners, especially as they are currently writing examinations.
“We are appealing to all public transport operators who are transporting learners to comply with the rules of the road,” she said. “Our learners are currently writing examinations and we request our public transport operators to be extremely cautious on the road during this period.”
The MEC’s reaction follows the impounding of the taxi, which was carrying almost double its legal seating capacity.
Overloading not only violates road regulations but dramatically increases the risk of serious accidents, putting young lives at risk.
Motsumi implored parents to play an active role in safeguarding their children by ensuring the transport they use is safe and compliant.
“We further appeal to all parents whose children are using the public transport to check their transport before leaving for school. They must monitor if it’s not overloaded or not, if so they should look for an alternative transport,” she said.
The Department of Education is also requesting School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and principals to step up their efforts.
They are urged to play an active role in verifying all means of transport that learners use and to report unsafe practices immediately to the relevant authorities.
