DA wants GNT busses summoned for inspection after another accident

MORATIWA
The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo demands that the Department of Transport to subject all Great North Transport (GNT) buses to immediate roadworthy tests, with any failing buses being summarily impounded.

The demand comes after a GNT bus carrying 90 passengers over turned on the R579 next to the Moratiwa Complex on Monday. Preliminary reports indicate that several passengers sustained minor injuries when the bus driver lost control and it ended up on its left side on the road.

According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety’s spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, 80 passengers escaped with minor injuries. Ten others were unscathed.

“At around 10:44, a bus that was conveying passengers, mostly pensioners, overturned on the R579 after a brake failure. The bus was carrying 90 passengers,” confirmed Chuene.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene, ensuring that the injured were transported to nearby healthcare facilities, including St Rita’s Hospital in Glen Cowie, Jane Furse Hospital, and Matlala Hospital in Tsimanyana.
The Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) executive mayor, Cllr Minah Bahula, has received with deep shock and concern the news of the bus accident.
She said the municipality commended the swift response of all emergency personnel who provided much-needed care to the victims. On Monday afternoon, the mayor visited the injured passengers at the local hospitals.
“As a caring and people-centered leadership, we visited St Rita’s and Jane Furse hospitals to personally check on the injured and extend well wishes for their speedy recovery.
“The well-being and safety of our residents remain a top priority, and we stand in solidarity with all those affected by this unfortunate incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured passengers and their families during this difficult time,” said Bahula.
The DA’s Jacques Smalle said: “We will also insist that progress—or lack thereof—on GNT’s turnaround plan be tabled and deliberated upon at the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs.”

He said they were shocked because of this incident.

“As the Democratic Alliance, we have been at the forefront of calling for urgent action. Yet, all we encounter is spin and denial from Limpopo’s ANC-led administration and executive, while hundreds of thousands of commuters remain at risk.

We recently exposed through SCOPA reports that GNT knowingly operated unroadworthy buses, endangering thousands of passengers and road users; lodged a criminal complaint with SAPS regarding the un-roadworthiness of GNT’s buses; and alerted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which is currently investigating GNT, over these alarming safety failures.”