Dangerously overloaded: Cross-Border buses intercepted in Limpopo's festive season crackdown
Limpopo officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
Image: Supplied
Early Thursday morning, a bus authorised to carry 65-seater passengers began its cross-border journey from Gauteng. Provincial traffic officers intercepted the bus and discovered it was overloaded by 11 passengers.
The Star has copies revealing that a fine of R3,000 was issued. The bus was subsequently released to continue its nearly 2,000 km journey to Malawi — a trip estimated to last approximately 28 hours.
When the vehicle arrived in Limpopo via the N1, authorities spotted the bus travelling near Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The same bus was now carrying 117 occupants, including 15 children.
Limpopo officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
Image: Supplied
Officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
The bus was detained at Mantsole TCC, leaving passengers stranded.
Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said that on December 17, another northbound bus was stopped at the Mantsole Traffic Control Centre (TCC) weighbridge. Officials discovered the vehicle was overloaded on both axles, with its gross vehicle mass exceeding the legal limit by 5 640kg.
Limpopo officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
Image: Supplied
“The bus was transporting more than 90 passengers, mainly women and children, from Gauteng to Malawi, far exceeding its licensed capacity of 65 seats,” Taueatsoala said.
An overloaded-vehicle summons was issued, and the bus was declared unroadworthy, remaining at Mantsole TCC until the operator arranged alternative transport for passengers.
“This follows intensified weighing operations on December 16, when 62 cross-border buses were screened between 07:00 and 19:00, resulting in 26 overloading charges,” he added.
Limpopo officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
Image: Supplied
''It is possible the two drivers coordinated to pick up these passengers along the route, which could explain why the second bus was found severely overloaded,” Taueatsoala said.
Traffic officers immediately intervened, preventing what could have resulted in serious injuries or loss of life. The bus became immobilised near the Polokwane weighbridge as it was redirected to the Provincial Traffic Control Centre (PTCC) for inspection.
During the stop, the driver allegedly attempted to flee the scene and allegedly tried to bribe officers to avoid the bus being taken to the weighbridge.
Limpopo officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
Image: Supplied
“Overloading remains extremely dangerous,” Taueatsoala said, referencing a deadly bus crash in October that killed more than 40 people. That bus was found to be unroadworthy and overloaded.
“We are appealing to bus companies to cooperate with us and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and compliant,” Taueatsoala added as the festive season traffic starts surging.
An overloaded-vehicle summons was issued, and the bus was declared unroadworthy, remaining at Mantsole TCC until the operator arranged alternative transport for passengers.
Image: Supplied
The buses will remain impounded at the PTCC until excess passengers are off-loaded and prescribed fines are paid. Investigations are ongoing.
Taueatsoala said, “We are appealing to bus companies to cooperate with us and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and compliant.”
Limpopo officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident.
Image: Supplied
Despite numerous attempts by The Star to find out why the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) allowed the bus to continue its journey after being stopped for overloading and fined, only for it to be declared unroadworthy at its final stop in Limpopo, our questions remained unanswered at the time of publication. TMPD spokesperson Issac Mahamba had told reporters he “would get back to us,” but no response was received.
The Star