Overview

• Twenty learners were injured when a minibus taxi plunged off a bridge in Mpendle on 15 September, according to officials.
• Authorities arrested the driver, who fled the scene, and say he held only a learner’s licence and no Professional Driving Permit.
• KZN’s transport chief said it was the third scholar-transport incident in the Umgungundlovu District in four days, with three learner deaths reported on Thursday.
• The department and the Vehicle Testing Association will identify vehicles without valid roadworthy certificates and pursue those issuing fraudulent documents.
• Plans include biannual Certificates of Roadworthiness for heavy passenger vehicles, mandatory testing at accredited KZN centres, and enforcement of designated route permits with independent audits.