A minibus taxi driver operating without a valid licence has been taken into custody following a terrifying crash that left twenty schoolchildren injured. The incident occurred on Monday morning when the vehicle, which has since been declared unroadworthy, plunged off the KwaKhetha Bridge on the P127 route in Impendle.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, confirmed the arrest and revealed the shocking lack of qualifications held by the driver. “He does not have a driver’s licence, working only with a learner’s,” Duma stated, emphasising that a professional driving permit is a legal requirement for anyone entrusted with transporting passengers.
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MEC Vows Crackdown on Rogue Operators
The arrest has sparked a major push for a coordinated safety crackdown across the province. MEC Duma announced he is liaising with a wide range of roleplayers, including other government departments, the SA National Taxi Council, and the Association of Private Vehicle Testing Stations, to address the systemic issue.
The MEC highlighted the alarming prevalence of dangerous vehicles being used to transport scholars.
“There are many unroadworthy vehicles used for private scholar transport,” he said, pointing a finger at deep-rooted corruption. “We have agreed to work together to isolate elements operating vehicles without roadworthy certificates and to ensure those issuing fraudulent certificates are arrested.”
Children Hospitalised Following Terrifying Ordeal
The human cost of the crash is still being tallied. While some of the young passengers were treated for their injuries and discharged from medical care, several others remain in hospital. The department confirmed it is monitoring their condition.
The incident has served as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by non-compliant vehicles and unqualified drivers on the nation’s roads, particularly when the safety of children is at stake. The promised multi-pronged intervention aims to root out the illegal practises that led to this preventable accident.