Cape Town - Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith says Operation Exodus has been a failure this year with only about 800 vehicles tested as long haul bus operators refuse to have their vehicles checked.
The annual roadworthy check campaign, which was launched two weeks ago, ended on Monday, but Smith said the city was disappointed with this year’s outcome, compared to previous years.
This year little more than 800 vehicles were checked, compared to last year’s 2148 and the previous year’s 1328.
Smith said the vehicle checks were on a voluntary basis.
“We do not force motorists to have them done. It is simply a value-added service that we offer to ensure that our travelling public get to their destination safely.”
Two weeks ago trouble broke out at the Joe Gqabi transport interchange when bus operators refused to have their vehicles checked. One operator was arrested and detained at the Brackenfell Police Station. Since then no vehicles have been tested.
Smith attributed this year’s decline to interference from the Ses’khona People’s Rights Movement, accusing the organisation of inhibiting the campaign at the Joe Gqabi transport interchange.
GAMBLING WITH PEOPLE’S LIVES
At Joe Gqabi, 1 200 vehicles were checked during the operation last year, but less than 200 vehicles were checked at the interchange this year.
“It is despicable that Ses’khona has chosen to use public safety for their own gain,” Smith siad. “Joe Gqabi is our busiest interchange. We haven’t even made it past the 200 mark this time. They are gambling with people’s lives and I hope they realise the potentially deadly consequences their selfish actions could have.”
However, Ses’khona spokesman Sithembele Majova refuted Smith’s allegations.
“Whenever things go wrong in the city or province, Ses’khona is always blamed. They must prove that we were involved and stop making unfounded accusations.”
Chairman of the Western Cape Long Distance Bus Association Ndodile Yekile denied Ses’khona’s involvement; he said Operation Exodus was conducted during the peak season, causing problems for operators.
“We want them to check the buses because it ensures the safety of our passengers. What we don’t want is them coming here during the peak days and delaying our system because this, in turn, creates a loss for us.”
‘THEY SHOULD START EARLIER’
Yekile said the checks started late this year. He said bus owners preferred checks to start on December 1.
“Our passengers panic when they see law enforcement, police and traffic officers; they leave our ranks and head to town. Second, during the operation there is only one examiner and you can imagine how many buses. This causes delays.”
Yekile said although vehicles were checked at the Joe Gqabi transport interchange, they were stopped again at Kraaifontein and Worcester for full roadworthy checks.
“The stickers they give us are useless because we again go through the same thing once we leave here. They should just close down this interchange.”
But David Frost, deputy director of road safety management at the department of transport and public works, said safety checks were important and contributed to free-flowing traffic.
“Safety checks conducted by qualified officers identify items in need of care before embarking on the exodus. Officers doing routine vehicle checks en route will know certain safety items have been checked before the trip, thus shortening the delays and preventing vehicles from perhaps being discontinued, which disrupts commuters and puts them at risk of being transported in an unroadworthy vehicle.”
Cape Argus