City urged to ‘act dicey carpooling’
Urgent appeal to traffic department to stop unroadworthy school shuttles
FOLLOWING several accidents that claimed young lives in recent times, ward 2 Councillor Christo Botha has appealed to the uMhlathuze Traffic Department to slam the brakes on dangerous carpooling.
According to complainants at the ward’s last committee meeting, children are ‘cramped like sardines’ into the back of unroadworthy vehicles transporting them to and from school.
‘Most of these types of vehicles are not designed to transport people, are not roadworthy or have no valid licenses, which applies to the drivers as well.
‘We are aware of many accidents involving these vehicles where children were either hurt or killed,’ said Botha.
‘Two weeks ago, 25 children were seriously injured near Mandeni in an accident involving such a vehicle.
‘This is a huge problem and I have requested Mr Poswa (the city’s Acting Manager for Public Safety and Security) and his team to urgently put interventions in place.
‘This meeting took place about three weeks ago and I am still waiting to receive a copy of the action plan which was to be drawn up.
‘I understand that there are challenges, but our responsibility is to ensure that everything possible is done to protect these children who have no other means of getting to school.
‘We cannot stand by while the lives of those children are exposed on a daily basis.’
City Communications Manager Mdu Ncalane said the municipality has spearheaded operations in partnership with the Road Traffic Inspectorate to address the issue.
‘The community and parents should also assist to ensure their children are not shuttled in unroadworthy vehicles,’ he said.
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