Bus carrying 117 passengers intercepted on N1 Limpopo

A 65-seater cross-border bus transporting 117 occupants, comprising of 1 driver, 101 passengers and 15 minors, was intercepted on Thursday on the N1 bypass near Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo. The bus was carrying 52 passengers beyond its legal capacity.

The bus, which was travelling from Gauteng to Malawi, became immobilised a short distance from the Polokwane weighbridge while being redirected to the Provincial Traffic Control Centre [PTCC].

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During the intervention, the driver attempted to flee the scene but was swiftly intercepted, restrained and arrested by police.

The bus will remain impounded at the PTCC until the excess passengers are removed and the prescribed fine is paid.

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Meanwhile, a total of 105 vehicles were grounded during our Operation Malayisha operation on Wednesday.

The operation formed part of Operation Malayisha, which aimed to protect road users by removing overloaded and unroadworthy vehicles from the road network.

Enforcement was carried out at the Mantsole Traffic Control Centre [TCC], which links Gauteng, North West and Limpopo, and the Groblersbridge, a major gateway for traffic travelling to Botswana and other SADC countries.

The Limpopo Department of Transport says Operation Malayisha will continue with intensified and sustained enforcement.