Old ambulance ferrying 22 children pulled over
Public urged to report overloading
ADECOMMISSIONED ambulance has been carting Eastern Cape pupils to school as part of the government’s official scholar transport system.
The ambulance, with all its bright yellow hazard markings, red roof light, gas bottles and a grubby mattress lying on the metal floor of the stripped-down interior, was found crammed with 22 Engcobo schoolchildren yesterday morning.
It was pulled off the road by department of transport traffic officers who had set up a roadblock in Zadungeni village and was confiscated for being unroadworthy.
Department spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said it was time for parents, schools and the community to report overloaded, unroadworthy vehicles which found their way into the scholar transport system.
She said the department had been cracking the whip on scholar transport operators since schools reopened on Wednesday.
Rantjie said: “Two other buses which belong to the same operator also had their licences suspended for being unroadworthy.”
Rantjie said the operator faced being suspended from the scholar transport programme and could have its contract terminated.
“According to the owner, he bought the ambulance in KwaZulu-Natal last year with the hopes of converting the ambulance into a taxi. However, he did not do that and kept on transporting pupils using the ambulance.
“Overloading is one of the challenges. Yesterday the Nelson Mandela Bay traffic police arrested a bus driver who was transporting over 90 pupils in a 65seater.”
She said the department would act swiftly to protect the lives of pupils.
“We are calling on parents and principals to report these incidents as they put the lives of children in grave danger.”
She said people could report overloading and unroadworthy vehicles on 080 064 4644 or directly to the scholar transport customer care line on 043-6047576.
“Traffic officers will deal with the matter.” —