Following a devastating accident in Soweto on Monday, which left 13 young school learners injured in Soweto, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has intensified its Stop-and-Search operations geared towards ensuring the safety of scholar transportation.
The operation commenced on the morning of the 28th of August, and is already showing results. So far, 54 citations have been issued to drivers of unroadworthy scholar transportation vehicles. The infringements ranged from worn tyres, expired license discs and overloading.
MMC for Public Safety, Councillor Michael Sun had this to say about the operation: “The safety of our residents, especially our children, is top priority for the City. Many of the most gruesome accidents on our roads are caused by unroadworthy vehicles. We will continue with this operation to ensure that irresponsible vehicle owners are dealt with without delay”.
MMC Sun also expressed his concern over the lack of regulation and enforcement of scholar transportation by provincial and national government departments.
Parents and schools are urged to pay extra attention to the condition of the vehicles, qualification and physical fitness of the drivers, and legal compliance of scholar transport operators before putting their little ones in the vehicles.