Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the continued use of Light Delivery Vehicles, commonly known as bakkies, to transport learners to and from school.
“A bakkie is a goods vehicle. It is not designed to carry passengers, and it is certainly not designed to carry children,” said Mathye.
She added: “Every time we allow a learner to climb into the back of a bakkie, we are gambling with that child’s life. Today that gamble cost us a 15-year-old son, brother, and learner. It is unacceptable, and it must stop with immediate effect.”
This comes after a fatal road crash that took place on Thursday in Vhembe District’s Dididi Village, resulting in the tragic death of a 15-year-old male student.
The Department received an initial report indicating that a Toyota Hilux Light Delivery Vehicle, which was carrying students, veered out of control and flipped over.
The crash resulted in the tragic loss of one learner’s life. Furthermore, twelve individuals, including the driver, sustained critical injuries and continue to receive medical care, while another thirteen learners were treated for minor injuries.
Under the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 and the National Land Transport Act, 2009, learners must only be transported in approved scholar transport vehicles, such as registered buses and midibuses.
These vehicles must be certified roadworthy, have proper seating, hold a valid operating licence, and be driven by operators with a valid Professional Driving Permit.
“We call on parents, School Governing Bodies and communities in Vhembe and across Limpopo to refuse to put children in bakkies. We understand the challenges of access and affordability, but no saving is worth a child’s life,” Mathye said.
She added: “The government is working to expand access to safe, subsidised and contracted scholar transport, and we urge communities to work with us.”
The Department, alongside the Department of Education, SAPS, and Municipal Traffic Authorities, will immediately step up operations against illegal scholar transport.
Vehicles operating unlawfully will be impounded, and operators will face prosecution.
Mathye extended her deepest condolences to the family, friends, and school community of the deceased student, and offered her best wishes for a swift and full recovery to all the injured learners.
IOL NEWS
Nokubonga Ndlovu
iol.co.za
