In the wake of the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash that claimed the lives of 14 learners, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has stepped up enforcement to protect learners on the road.

Pretoria Rekord reports that TMPD’s Public Transport and Taxi Unit conducted a school transport safety operation in Akasia yesterday.

A total of 30 vehicles were impounded for unroadworthy defects, operating licence issues and driver documentation violations.

“The TMPD is determined to ensure the safety of school children and will not hesitate to take action against operators who prioritise profit over the safety of learners.”

Driver appears in court

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old driver involved in the Vanderbijlpark crash, which claimed the lives of 14 learners, appeared in court on Thursday.

Ayanda Dludla was charged with murder, attempted murder, driving without a valid permit and driving an unlicensed vehicle.

He was driving a scholar transport vehicle on the R553 Golden Highway, transporting 16 learners, when he collided head-on with an oncoming truck.

Watch: Taxi slams into wall, children thrown out in Johannesburg

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