The Putco bus that crashed through the barrier and plummeted into a storm-water ditch, killing 19 people, was not roadworthy as its brakes were worn out, The Star Africa can reveal.
Sources who are privy to the condition of the Putco buses told The Star that the ill-fated bus was among the eight Putco buses that were taken off the road after they had failed a roadworthy test at Meyerton testing station on June 12.
This is contrary to the bus management’s statement that the bus was tested on June 14 and passed.
“Unless Putco took it to another testing station afterwards, the bus that crashed was tested in Meyerton on June 12 and it failed the test,” said a source at the testing station.
This emerged as Transport Minister Ben Martins urged the authorities to investigate all possible reasons for the accident.
“No effort should be spared in determining the cause of this horrific incident. Road-traffic-management authorities must leave no stone unturned in their probe,” he said after visiting the accident scene on Monday.
The Star Africa can also reveal that the bus’s brakes were among the deficiencies that led to its failing the test.
This is contrary to Putco’s statement that the bus was roadworthy. Sources also told The Star Africa that the bus’s front wheel suspension was in a poor state.
This is caused by problems such as worn-out idle arms, tie-rod ends, ball joints, shock absorbers or loose wheel bearings and bushings.
The condition of the bus had so badly deteriorated that once its speed exceeded 60km/h, it would shake. Sources also told The Star Africa that almost half of Putco’s bus fleet was aging and fraught with mechanical problems.
“It is an obvious fact that most of the buses are old and scraps. We do report the problems, but the bosses will just ignore us or accuse us of not obeying instructions. So we just drive them because we want to keep our jobs as we are desperate,” said the source.
Although Monday’s fatal accident had left most of the drivers and other staff reeling in shock, the source said it did not come as a surprise.
He said most of the buses travelling between the Vaal and Alrode (Alberton, Ekurhuleni) were defective and were allocated to that route as it was near a service centre in Selby, near Joburg CBD.
“Maybe it’s convenient for the bosses because the buses won’t travel to a destination near Selby empty. But they are risking the passengers’ lives. It means they are putting profit before the passengers’ lives.”
A staff member at the Meyerton testing station told The Star Africa that it was common practice among the owners of minibus taxis, buses and truck companies to cheat when they took their vehicles for testing.
“Many will swap new tyres from one bus or a taxi that they are bringing for testing and then change back after the test. That is a big challenge
“Some testing stations have fitted surveillance cameras to capture vehicles as they go through the test, but we don’t have any.”
Meanwhile, Gauteng’s roads and transport portfolio committee expressed concern at the safety of Putco’s operation.
“We are concerned for the commuters using these buses. The operations at Putco have been on our agenda for a while now,” said acting chairwoman Refilwe Mogale.
She added that officials intended visiting the crash site, the injured passengers and the relatives of those who died.
Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko was also expected to visit the injured passengers this week.
Putco spokesman Raphiri Matsaneng was adamant that the bus had passed the test.
“The information that I have is that the bus underwent a roadworthy test and passed,” he said.
Asked about the allegations about the test on June 12, he said: “I will send that information when I have documents. But right now, I am not at the office.”
The Star Africa