News / National
Mzansi Express fails to apologise, only suspends reckless driver after viral video
11 Jan 2024 at 00:14hrs | Views
THE driver of the Mzansi Express bus, which was captured on the widely circulated video while dangerously overtaking a haulage truck carrying highly flammable gas and other motorists, has been suspended pending internal investigations.
The latest development comes after Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona issued a statement this week directing that the driver of the bus be prosecuted.
Minister Mhona said the video shows traffic law violations and actions that breach Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11), which prohibit driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for others, negligent or dangerous driving and reckless driving.
In a statement yesterday, Mzansi Express management said it regretted the unfortunate situation and apologised to all those who were affected by the incident, including its valued clients.
"In light of the recent and widely circulated video footage on social media involving one of our buses and a tanker truck, Mzansi Express management would like to express that as a company we do not permit, allow nor condone the actions of our driver under any circumstance," said the company.
Mzansi Express said its mission is to safely transport its valued clients and their goods within the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
"We at Mzansi Express regret this unfortunate situation and apologise to all those who were affected by the incident, including our valued clients. We can confirm that the responsible driver has been suspended pending a thorough investigation to ascertain exactly what transpired," read the statement.
The bus company said it is co-operating with authorities regarding the matter.
"Mzansi Express has been in the business of passenger and goods transportation for almost 20 years and we intend to continue to provide the service to our valued clients for many years to come," read the statement.
"Thus, we trust and hope that our clients do not lose confidence in us due to this incident, but rather you trust that we will do everything in our power to ensure we continue to transport you and your goods safely and comfortably."
The incident comes at a time when 97 people died and 424 were injured in road traffic accidents between 15 and 26 December last year.
Minister Mhona said Government frowns on lawlessness and recklessness on the country's highways.
He said if left uncontrolled such acts will derail the country's vision of reducing road accidents by 25 percent annually as enshrined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Minister Mhona said his ministry promulgated Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023 which made it mandatory for operators of public service vehicles (PSVs) to install speed limiting and monitoring devices as this will go a long way in regulating speeding by such drivers and protect commuters and other road users.
He said the safety and security of all road users cannot be taken for granted and urged all road traffic law enforcement agencies to be on alert to enforce the road traffic laws, including ensuring that non-compliant drivers and vehicles do not ply routes.
The latest development comes after Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona issued a statement this week directing that the driver of the bus be prosecuted.
Minister Mhona said the video shows traffic law violations and actions that breach Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11), which prohibit driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for others, negligent or dangerous driving and reckless driving.
In a statement yesterday, Mzansi Express management said it regretted the unfortunate situation and apologised to all those who were affected by the incident, including its valued clients.
"In light of the recent and widely circulated video footage on social media involving one of our buses and a tanker truck, Mzansi Express management would like to express that as a company we do not permit, allow nor condone the actions of our driver under any circumstance," said the company.
Mzansi Express said its mission is to safely transport its valued clients and their goods within the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
"We at Mzansi Express regret this unfortunate situation and apologise to all those who were affected by the incident, including our valued clients. We can confirm that the responsible driver has been suspended pending a thorough investigation to ascertain exactly what transpired," read the statement.
"Mzansi Express has been in the business of passenger and goods transportation for almost 20 years and we intend to continue to provide the service to our valued clients for many years to come," read the statement.
"Thus, we trust and hope that our clients do not lose confidence in us due to this incident, but rather you trust that we will do everything in our power to ensure we continue to transport you and your goods safely and comfortably."
The incident comes at a time when 97 people died and 424 were injured in road traffic accidents between 15 and 26 December last year.
Minister Mhona said Government frowns on lawlessness and recklessness on the country's highways.
He said if left uncontrolled such acts will derail the country's vision of reducing road accidents by 25 percent annually as enshrined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Minister Mhona said his ministry promulgated Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023 which made it mandatory for operators of public service vehicles (PSVs) to install speed limiting and monitoring devices as this will go a long way in regulating speeding by such drivers and protect commuters and other road users.
He said the safety and security of all road users cannot be taken for granted and urged all road traffic law enforcement agencies to be on alert to enforce the road traffic laws, including ensuring that non-compliant drivers and vehicles do not ply routes.
Source - The Chronicle
