Authorities Crack Down on Overcrowded School Transport
Two taxi drivers in East London, Eastern Cape, were arrested last week for dangerously overloading their vehicles with school children. The arrests took place on Thursday, March 6, as part of a road safety operation targeting public transport violations.
According to Daily Sun, the drivers were caught transporting pupils in severely overcrowded minibus taxis. Law enforcement officers immediately impounded the vehicles and conducted roadworthiness tests to ensure they met safety standards.
Nine Taxis Found Overloaded in One Day
Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya confirmed that a roadblock operation on the R102/Nahoon Dam route led to the prosecution of five vehicles, including a taxi that had 26 passengers along with the driver.
“A docket was opened by senior traffic officer Welile Zweni at the NU1 Police Station in Mdantsane,” Ngwenya stated.
He further revealed that four additional Toyota Quantums were also caught for overloading on the same route, with one of them carrying 26 passengers as well.
“In total, nine overloaded taxis were stopped in a single day. The metro urges parents to take responsibility and ensure their children are using safe and legal transport services,” he added.
Authorities Warn of Serious Risks
Ngwenya praised traffic officers for their vigilance, emphasizing that their actions potentially saved many lives.
“One can only imagine the tragedy if an accident were to occur with children packed like sardines inside a minibus taxi. It is extremely reckless and life-threatening,” he warned.
He also pointed out that many parents might not be aware of how overcrowded these taxis are.
“We suspect that parents do not know the extent of the overcrowding, as no parent would willingly allow their child’s safety to be compromised like this. However, ignorance is no excuse. Parents must be proactive in ensuring their children’s safety,” Ngwenya stated.
Traffic Authorities Issue Stern Warning
Buffalo City Metro Traffic Commander Quinton Chetty issued a strict warning to drivers who continue to overload their taxis, stating that they will face serious legal consequences.
“Overloading is not only illegal, but it also puts lives at risk. Excess weight reduces a vehicle’s ability to brake properly, damages the suspension, and wears out the tires faster—greatly increasing the chances of a fatal accident,” Chetty explained.
Taxi Drivers Released with Warnings, Court Appearance Scheduled
Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that two separate cases were opened at Mdantsane Police Station on the day of the arrests.
“The suspects were released with warnings and are scheduled to appear in court on Monday, March 10, 2025,” Mawisa stated.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to enforcing transport safety laws and urged parents to be more involved in their children’s daily commuting arrangements. The crackdown on overloaded taxis will continue to ensure the safety of school children and other passengers.