Scholar drivers ‘targeted’

Mitchell’s Plain scholar motorists trying to put food on their families’ tables have instead been forking out about R10 000 out of their pockets to have their impounded vehicles released.

Close to 200 drivers who transport Mitchell’s Plain pupils to and from school met in Westgate Mall’s parking lot on Tuesday May 9 and Wednesday 10.

They are aggrieved that traffic services are targeting them following the recent Lentegeur accident in which a Rocklands Primary School pupil died (“Boy, 10, dies in taxi crash”, Plainsman April 25).

Last week a few pupils survived an accident with light injuries in Langeberg Road, Tafelsig.

Mitchell’s Plain scholar motorists Nezaam Abrahams, Lameez Jardine, Ilhaam Adams, all from Lentegeur and Ashley Arendse, from Rondevlei, were nominated to speak to the Plainsman on Thursday May 12 highlighting their plight.

They said 10 microbuses were impounded at a cost of R10 000 each in the last three weeks.

“Whenever an accident happens then they target us (those with the microbuses) because of legislation but we are not the motorists making the accidents,” said Mr Arendse.

He said that unroadworthy vehicles, overloaded with more than double the allowed number of passengers were crammed with pupils and irresponsible drivers were overlooked as traffic officers waited for the microbuses to arrive at schools.

“We are trying to maintain and meet all requirements by the law makers. The greatest challenge is we don’t have year compliant modelled vehicles,” he said.

Many of the drivers have formed part of a Discovery insurance programme where they have completed first aid, defensive driving training to enhance their safety compliance on the road.

“Not just for for the pupils, ourselves and the safety of all road users,” he said.

Most of the service providers have vehicle and driver compliant documents.

Mr Arendse admitted that in 2012 there was plan to remove older model vehicles but said that the government did not offer means to replace vehicles or subsidies for this process.

Mr Abrahams explained that many of the motorists were new to transporting scholars as they sought an income following the national Covid-19 lockdown.

He said even motorists who had been transporting scholars for more than two decades could not afford to replace their vehicles.

Mr Abrahams explained that during the pandemic he had lost his livelihood and like other drivers they had to “think outside of the box” to put food on their table.

Ms Jardine said that most of the drivers were trying to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy, had the necessary licences and permits, like their professional driving permit (PDP).

Traffic services spokesman Kevin Jacobs said national legislation allowed for the impoundment of the vehicle of any public transport operator found without an operating licence or if it operates in violation of the conditions of that licence.

He said that in terms of legislation, vehicles used to transport school children should: not be older than 12 years; be registered and licensed in the Western Cape; have a special “vehicle fitness” certificate and undergo roadworthy testing every six months; and be fitted with a seatbelt for every passenger, and a car seat for each child younger than three.

Mr Jacobs said that any person who receives a fine is able to make representations at their nearest driving license testing centre, or on email, at traffic.representation@capetown.gov.za

“Alternatively, a motorist can contact the public prosecutor directly at the court that appears on their fine. If they have received summons, they should contact the public prosecutor before the date that they are due to appear in court,” he said.