Johannesburg -
An SA Roadlink bus bound for Joburg was impounded at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, Durban, on Monday after panicked passengers phoned ahead to traffic authorities to say the vehicle was not roadworthy.
This followed a heated exchange at the Durban bus station where, in front of waiting passengers, two drivers refused to take the wheel because they knew it was dangerous. However, the drivers eventually boarded, but the passengers put a stop to the journey.
Senior KZN traffic inspector Abby Naicker, who supervised the roadworthy test, said only one parking brake was working, the exhaust was cracked, the steering mechanism was faulty and there were “massive” oil leaks.
“We have removed the licence disc, this vehicle is suspended and when (SA Roadlink) sends another bus we will test that one too,” she said.
At the same time, 18 SA Roadlink passengers bound for Cape Town, who were to leave at 6.30am were squeezed into a taxi, with a letter promising that a “proper” bus would meet them in Umtata.
On Monday night, passenger Polani Mabusela called The Mercury from Umtata saying the bus sent to meet them was full and they were returning to Durban. SA Roadlink employees at the Durban station refused to talk to The Mercury and head office officials said no one was available on Monday.
The blitz by the road traffic inspectorate at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza continued, with many errant motorists coming up with excuses that tested the patience of KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Safety Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu who was with the officers stopping vehicles.
The driver of a Lamborghini Gallardo, pulled over for not having number plates, told traffic police he could “not risk drilling on the front for a number plate that would damage his car”. He kept his licence plates in the boot. He was fined R1 500.
The Mercury