Traffic officers conducting a scholar transport law enforcement operation in Cape Town have discovered 49 children travelling in a single minibus taxi on Wednesday morning. 

According to City of Cape Town Traffic spokesperson Kevin Jacobs, officers attached to the City’s Transport Enforcement Unit made the discovery outside a primary school in Mitchells Plain. 

“Officers attached to the City’s Transport Enforcement Unit were stunned when 49 children poured out of a taxi during a scholar enforcement operation,” said Jacobs.

The minibus taxis operating in Cape Town, such as the Toyota Quantum, have a standard capacity of between 13 and 16 passengers.

Jacobs said the vehicle was impounded at the scene. He confirmed that the driver was charged with “not having a permit, overloading and not having a Professional Driving Permit”.  

“Arrangements were made for alternative transport for the learners.”  

The incident forms part of intensified scholar transport enforcement, following a fatal crash in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, two weeks ago, which claimed the lives of 14 learners. The minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a truck. 

READ MORE: Vanderbijlpark Fatal Accident: Driver to Remain in Custody – Smile 90.4FM

Jacobs warned that enforcement teams would continue to take action against drivers who put lives at risk. 

“Overloading endangers the lives of every person in the vehicle, as well as other road users,” said Jacobs.