A joint operation by a provincial and national traffic enforcement team inspected buses in Mthatha.

Acting provincial traffic director Charles Bramwell says more than 20 buses were checked and eight were found to be unroadworthy and impounded.

“We want to ensure that those persons you see there are on safe transport, hence we are bringing all these buses on the testing centre. They are taken to a proper road test and if they fail the test, they get suspended on the road immediately. We then call upon the owners of these buses to ensure there is alternative transport for the passengers, those have minor faults with breaking system will allow them to fix and continue their journey,” says Bramwell.

Passengers on the buses, Sibongile Khondlo and Buyiswa Gaba were upset about the delay but say they understand the authorities’ concerns.

“We are not happy for being stuck here because we are rushing for work, but what makes me happy is that our safety is prioritised here,” says Khondlo.

“I am not happy about the way they treat us, because we can be involved in the accidents if these buses are not fixed. We can get accidents, yet they know that their buses are not roadworthy, “says Gaba.

SABC News