Cape Town scholar transport driver arrested for drunk driving

An alleged drunk scholar transport driver was arrested in Kensington, Cape Town, on Tuesday. This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding the safety of learners on South African roads.

The arrest follows a tragic tragedy just two weeks ago in Vanderbijlpark, where 14 learners lost their lives after the minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a truck.

In response to the recurring safety issues within the sector, Western Cape MEC for Mobility, Isaac Sileku, has called for urgent amendments to existing legislation. Sileku suggested that younger drivers should be barred from transporting schoolchildren, arguing that age may be a significant risk factor in road safety.

Kensington ward councillor Cheslyn Steenberg commended the City’s Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSO) for their proactive intervention.

"Our ward NSOs were on standard duty in the ward with a special focus on scholar transport," Steenberg stated. "They checked a few vehicles and came upon a driver that was intoxicated and had learners in his vehicle. Officers checked him, found that he was over the legal limit, and arrested him."