A potentially deadly road disaster was narrowly avoided on the N1 bypass in Polokwane after traffic officers intercepted a grossly overloaded cross-border bus carrying more than 50 passengers above its legal capacity, including 15 children.
According to Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala, the 65-seater bus was stopped near Peter Mokaba Stadium while transporting a staggering 117 occupants. The bus was travelling from Gauteng to Malawi when officials noticed the severe overload and immediately intervened to prevent what could have resulted in serious injuries or loss of life.
Taueatsoala said the bus became immobilised a short distance from the Polokwane weighbridge as officers attempted to redirect it to the Provincial Traffic Control Centre (PTCC) for further inspection. During the stop, the situation escalated when the driver allegedly attempted to flee the scene.
“He was promptly intercepted, restrained and arrested by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) working together with Limpopo traffic officers,” Taueatsoala said.
He further revealed that the driver allegedly attempted to bribe officers to avoid being taken to the weighbridge, an act that has since aggravated the case and now forms part of the ongoing investigation.
Taueatsoala also disclosed that the same bus had earlier been stopped in Centurion, Gauteng, where it was fined for being overloaded with 11 passengers.
“The ticket we have seen shows that at the time it was stopped in Centurion, it was overloaded with 11 passengers, and the driver paid the fine. However, the bus was later found overloaded with more than 50 passengers. We are not sure whether the driver continued loading passengers along the route,” he said.
He reiterated that overloading remains extremely dangerous, referencing a deadly bus crash in October in which more than 40 people lost their lives.
“We are appealing to bus companies to cooperate with us and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and compliant,” Taueatsoala said.
Authorities confirmed that the bus will remain impounded at the PTCC until excess passengers are off-loaded and prescribed fines are paid. Investigations are ongoing.
The Star
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