The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) said today, the taxi driver whose overloaded taxi overturned on the M1 will be charged with contravening COVID-19 regulations.
The taxi driver who cannot be named until he is formally charged and 15 passengers got injured when his taxi overturned on the M1 North near the Xavier off-ramp.
Wayne Minnaar, JMPD Spokesperson, said the driver will be charged with reckless and negligent driving and contravening COVID-19 regulations.
“The driver was injured and had to be taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital. A case docket was opened against the driver at Booysens Police Station. His taxi was overloaded,” Minnaar said.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula last week announced revised regulations after an uproar from the industry with regards to the earlier regulations government had imposed on the industry.
The new regulations stipulate that a minibus licensed to carry 15 passengers is limited to carry a maximum of 10 passengers.
Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo said the flouting of regulations by the taxi driver shows little regard for the lives of passengers.
“The regulations that are in place, especially for this period, are there to protect the lives of the people. Anyone who shows disregard for the regulations is definitely not assisting our efforts to flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Mamabolo.
