Taxi driver held after ferrying an overload of 41 pupils in minibus

A Mdantsane taxi driver was arrested by police this morning after he was caught ferrying 41 pupils in a 15-seater Toyota Quantum minibus taxi.

Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said the 25-year-old man has been charged with overloading and would appear in the East London Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

Mbi said the driver was caught at Deveraux Avenue in Vincent by a vigilant Buffalo City Metro traffic officer who grew suspicious after the driver appeared nervous when he was approaching the officer.”

“When the officer tried to stop the driver, he would not stop and so he chased after him until he caught him,” said Mbi. “The officer discovered that pupils were squashed inside the taxi with others sitting on the laps of others. It was a safety hazard with deadly consequences.”

The minors were attending  various East London schools including the Science College, Port Rex and Hudson Park, Mbi said.