Why Limpopo is calling for ‘enforcement at source’ on cross-border buses
Limpopo transport authorities have detained over 20 vehicles for road safety breaches and urged other provinces to enforce regulations at the point of departure.
POLOKWANE – Law enforcement at the Zebediela Traffic Control Centre intercepted two heavily overloaded buses and over 20 other vehicles in the early hours of Sunday, 21 December 2025.
The Limpopo Department of Transport says the operation, which took place at 04h00, uncovered serious breaches of road safety regulations, particularly involving cross-border transport operators during the peak festive season travel period.
Dangerous overloading uncovered
Officers detained two buses travelling from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng toward Zimbabwe:
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Bus A (Durban to Zimbabwe): Certified to carry 63 occupants, the bus was found with 82 occupants (72 adults and 10 minors).
- Bus B (Johannesburg to Zimbabwe): Certified for 70 adults, it was found carrying 79 occupants (67 adults and 12 minors).
“In addition to the buses, more than 20 light delivery vehicles and heavy motor vehicles were detained. Many were found towing unroadworthy trailers, further compromising road safety,” the Transport MEC Violet Mathye said.
A call for “enforcement at source”
Mathye expressed deep concern regarding how these vehicles managed to travel through multiple provinces without being stopped.
“It is unacceptable for buses to travel from as far as KZN only to be stopped in Limpopo. Enforcement must start at the source,” she said, urging other provinces to strengthen inter-provincial cooperation.
The department issued a stern warning to all transport operators, particularly those in the cross-border “Malayisha” industry, that flouting safety rules will result in immediate detention and penalties.
