Govt team has 30 days to investigate deadly bus fire
“We know Putco is conducting its own investigation, however, we have appointed an independent team to probe the incident. They can’t be both the referee and player on this matter,” says MEC.
A team of experts have 30 days to finish their report on the causes of a deadly bus fire on the Moloto Road in which six commuters died in May, according to the Gauteng roads and transport department.
At least 14 people were injured in the incident in which a Putco bus burst into flames.
The investigators will also submit recommendations to prevent similar incidents from happening again, said public transport and roads infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
Senior counsel member Advocate Myron Dewrance was appointed to lead the investigations.
Mamabolo said the team will interview witnesses and others impacted by the incident.
Investigations would focus on the cause of the fire and would determine whether there was negligence on the part of the bus company, which is contracted to the department.
He said the investigation was important in giving the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as those injured, the truth of what happened so they could have “closure”.
“We know Putco is conducting its own investigation, however, we have appointed an independent team to probe the incident. They can’t be both the referee and player on this matter,” he said.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said the fire happened on the Moloto Road near Roodeplaat Dam.
“The driver of the bus told firefighters that he was busy driving the bus when he was informed that the bus was on fire and immediately stopped the bus.”
READ MORE:Rietgat police nab 28 suspects over the weekend
Putco management has extended its deepest condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in the incident.
“We are fully co-operating with all the authorities, including the police, to understand the cause of the incident,” it said in a statement.
Putco spokesperson Norma Maswanganye said the company would provide necessary support to the families, including trauma counselling for the immediate families of the deceased, as well as the passengers involved in the incident.
“Once the independent forensic investigation has been completed, Putco will make the report available to authorities.
“The report should be available within the coming days as Putco has emphasised the urgency of the matter.”
Putco said all bus operators, in recent years, had been experiencing difficulties in recapitalising their fleets due to the lack of long-term contracts from the government.
It said Putco had a substantial medical assistance programme in place to cover any incident on a Putco bus, in collaboration with NetCare 911, to ensure that injured passengers received urgent medical treatment, “which is one of a kind in South Africa”.
Putco also added that it would make available an amount of R30 000 per deceased family for the funeral arrangements, plus an additional R75 000 per the family of each deceased passenger.
“Putco will also assist injured passengers, as well as the families of the deceased to lodge claims with the Road Accident Fund.”
It reassured commuters that their buses had scheduled maintenance programmes to ensure the safety of vehicles and passengers, including valid roadworthiness certificates.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
