The Vehicle Testing Association (VTA), an affiliate of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), has expressed grave alarm over a devastating scholar transport accident in KwaZulu-Natal that left twenty schoolchildren injured.
The incident occurred when a minibus taxi careered off the KwaKhetha Bridge in Impendle.
Provincial Transport MEC Siboniso Duma revealed that the driver, who absconded from the crash site, was subsequently apprehended. Investigations disclosed that the individual possessed neither a valid driving licence nor a Professional Driving Permit (PDP) – merely holding a provisional licence. Further enquiries revealed the vehicle had undergone roadworthiness testing and certification in the Eastern Cape rather than KwaZulu-Natal.
Following the funeral service for sixteen-year-old Ntobisi Kambule in Pietermaritzburg – one of five pupils who perished in a separate scholar transport collision earlier this month – VTA KwaZulu-Natal Regional Chairman Naeem Sheik conveyed his profound grief and sympathies to the bereaved families and community.
"Our roads are plagued by countless vehicles that fail to meet roadworthiness standards, yet continue operating with fraudulent certificates. This situation demands immediate governmental intervention to remove demonstrably unsafe vehicles from circulation whilst addressing inter-provincial testing irregularities and systemic corruption," Sheik declared.
The VTA chairman indicated his organisation's readiness to collaborate with the provincial MEC in implementing more rigorous testing protocols.
"Vehicles are circumventing proper scrutiny by seeking certification outside their operating province, frequently at facilities where corrupt practices flourish. Such conduct not only compromises testing standards but endangers the lives of schoolchildren and the travelling public. We must eliminate fraudulent documentation and unscrupulous behaviour to prevent recurring tragedies," he emphasised.
Sheik highlighted the critical importance of maintaining testing station integrity. "The VTA advocates for enhanced supervision of vehicle testing facilities to prevent human manipulation and corruption, stricter cross-border enforcement, and renewed dedication from all parties – including the SA National Taxi Council, testing bodies, and government agencies – to ensure only genuinely roadworthy vehicles operate on our roads."
He petitioned National Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to enact modifications to Regulation 128, incorporating mandatory periodic testing for all vehicles. "Such measures would immediately remove unsafe vehicles and substantially reduce fatal accidents," he argued.
Additionally, Sheik pressed KZN Motor Transport Service Director Ntuli to implement Regulation 24 (2) (d), mandating that local authorities record original roadworthy certificates. "This would largely eliminate current corrupt practices whereby certificates are purchased from other provinces."
In conclusion, Sheik requested SANTACO's assistance in strengthening regulations requiring vehicles with KZN operating licences to undergo testing exclusively within the province.
"Given South Africa's crisis-level road fatality statistics, we cannot compromise on safety standards. Corruption in roadworthy certification procedures claims lives, necessitating decisive action to safeguard our children and all road users," Sheik concluded.
