Anna Cox THE GAUTENG public transport authority has taken strong action against truck owners in its latest safety offensive. “There are companies out there that habitually violate the National Road Traffic Act. Owners of these companies appear to hide behind drivers of their vehicles who are often the only people who face the legal consequences of driving unroadworthy vehicles,” said Gauteng public transport, roads and works MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu. To encourage more responsibility from the owners of some of these vehicles, Mosunkutu has summoned six trucking companies to appear before department investigators. The owners of these companies have to furnish reasons for their failure to carry out their duties properly in terms of section 49 (c) (ii) and (g) of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996. The companies are Coaltrans, Whelson Transport, O J Carriers, ITC Transport, ITC and Amalgamated Bulk. “They are being asked to inform me why, pending such a recommendation, if such a recommendation does arise from the inter-action with our investigators, I shouldn’t withdraw their operating licences to ensure that their vehicles do not continue violating rules and regulations aimed at keeping our roads safer. It is still early days and more such companies will appear before our investigators,” he said. Members of the public are also urged to play their role in the initiative. If they witness contraventions of the rules and regulations of the road they
