No injuries after learner transport vehicle catches fire in Ekurhuleni
Two young learners and a driver escaped without injury after a scholar transport vehicle caught alight in Vosloorus, prompting renewed learner transport enforcement operations across Ekurhuleni to improve schoolchildren’s safety.
In Vosloorus, two learners and a driver managed to escape after the kombi they were travelling in caught alight.
City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services’ (DEMS) firefighters recently received a call about a vehicle that was on fire in Inyetsane Street, Vosloorus Extension 7.
On arrival, officials found the vehicle already engulfed in flames. Fortunately, both children and the driver managed to get out of the vehicle with no injuries.
DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said that it is alleged that the fire started due to a mechanical/electrical fault from the engine compartment.
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“The two terrified children, aged ten and six, both from one family, and their driver were given counselling on scene by firefighters, and their parents were also called immediately.
“The fire was extinguished, though the vehicle was extensively damaged by the blaze. The scene was handed over to the EMPD officers for investigations and scene rehabilitation,” said Ntladi.
Learner transport enforcement operations
The EMPD has intensified learner transport enforcement operations across Ekurhuleni following non-compliance with scholar transporters.
The operation resulted in six unroadworthy scholar transport taxis being impounded.
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“This was a learner transport enforcement operation across Ekurhuleni, led by the Social Crime Prevention Unit in collaboration with Katlehong and Germiston precinct officers and the Gauteng Traffic Police,” said EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele.
“All impounded buses during the operation were taken to the Benoni Vehicle Pound for further inspection,” said Mphahlele.
She said learner transport enforcement operations will continue across Ekurhuleni, adding that this is to ensure the safety of schoolchildren and enforce compliance.
She urged parents and guardians to ensure that the driver has a valid driver’s licence with a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) and is reputable.
“Check the vehicle is roadworthy and, when applicable, affiliated with a recognised scholar transport association. Vehicles must be suitable for transporting learners, with fixed seats for each child and working seat belts.
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“Parents must have the details of the driver transporting their children, including their ID number, home address and contact details. This ensures accountability from both parties, the guardians and the driver.
“As an additional safety measure, guardians may request a driver’s experience and references from the association with which they are affiliated in order to verify the driver’s background,” said Mphahlele.
The EMPD urges parents to prioritise learner safety by working with law enforcement to ensure scholar transport operators comply with the prescribed transport safety standards as the law requires.
