To: all news editors

DATE OF ISSUE: Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Sting operation nets un-roadworthy buses 

Gauteng Traffic Police removed 25 out of 30 buses screened thus far in an ongoing operation.

 This an alarming rate considering that most of our people rely on public transport to ferry them daily, as well as acting against the Road Safety Strategy that seeks to reduce road accidents and fatalities on Gauteng roads. 

This particular sting operation came about as a result of an outcry from members of the public. Commuters in and around Pretoria raised the serious concerns about the poor state of buses that they use daily to and from their workplaces .  The outcry was exacerbated during an   imbizo/public meetings held in Mamelodi, Pretoria,   on 17 September 2009. The commuters informed MEC Mosunkutu and senior leaders of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council that they often report for work late because of the un-roadworthy state of buses that they are forced to use. Some feared losing their jobs.

In a separate road safety operation conducted on 1 and 4 September 2009, departmental officials seized 30 taxis for roadworthy inspections. It was later found that 8 of the taxis seized were actually stolen vehicles. These vehicles have now been handed over to the South African Police Services for further investigations.       

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For more information contact:
Issued by Gauteng Department of Community Safety.
Media contact person: Sizwe Matshikiza at (011) 689 3633 or 071 851 2369.
For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Provincial Government's website at www.gautengonline.gov.za