Polokwane – Limpopo traffic authorities intercepted two severely overloaded buses and more than 20 other vehicles for serious road safety violations during an early-morning operation at the Zebediela Traffic Control Centre on Saturday.
The operation took place at around 04:00 on 21 December 2025, as traffic volumes increase during the festive season. Both buses were en route to Zimbabwe and were found to be carrying passengers well beyond their legally certified capacity.
Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye said the department was “deeply concerned about the scourge of overloading on our roads”, warning that the practice places lives at extreme risk.
One of the buses, travelling from Durban to Zimbabwe, was certified to carry 63 occupants but was found transporting 72 adults and 10 minors, bringing the total number of passengers to 82. A second bus, travelling from Johannesburg to Zimbabwe, was certified to carry 70 adults but was found carrying 67 adults and 12 minors, totalling 79 occupants.
“These buses, along with more than 20 light delivery vehicles and heavy motor vehicles with unroadworthy trailers, were detained for putting lives at risk,” Mathye said.
She commended traffic officers for their intervention, saying their actions likely prevented potential tragedies on Limpopo roads.
Limpopo Transport MEC is deeply concerned about the scourge of overloading on our roadshttps://t.co/qvg6EDEjOC#ArriveAlive #Overloading @TransportLimCom @TrafficRTMC @Dotransport pic.twitter.com/12HCC8TzDC
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 21, 2025
“I commend our officers for their diligence in keeping Limpopo’s roads safe,” Mathye said.
However, the MEC also criticised weak enforcement in other provinces, arguing that road safety operations should begin where journeys originate.
“It is unacceptable for buses to travel from as far as KZN only to be stopped in Limpopo – enforcement must start at source,” she said, calling for stronger inter-provincial cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
Mathye issued a stern warning to transport operators who disregard safety regulations, stressing that the department would maintain a zero-tolerance approach during the festive season.
“To all transport operators: flouting safety rules will not be tolerated,” she said. “We will continue to #MalayishaMalaisha irresponsible drivers and operators.”
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety said intensified roadblocks and inspections would continue across the province as part of efforts to curb overloading, unroadworthy vehicles and other dangerous practices during peak holiday travel.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
