Unathi Kondile, News24 User
"I think I've had it with this bus!" said KwaZulu-Natal MEC for transport, Bheki Cele, on Tuesday as he stood along the bloody tarmac on which 11 people lost their lives in a bus accident.
Today four more people have died in another accident involving the same bus company in the Eastern Cape. Last week the very same bus company was involved in a similar accident which resulted in a four-car pile up.
That's three accidents in less than one week for SA Road(un)link:
"Four killed in Eastern Cape bus crash" - Dec 17
"SA Roadlink in hot water after Hibberdene crash" - Dec 16
"Over 40 injured in KZN bus crash" - Dec 11.
I'm further saddened to see those yellow coffins on wheels still departing from various stations daily as officials pusillanimously warn of foreseeable strong actions against the company. You'd think they'd be "grounded" by now.
Nationwide airlines or even Air Tanzania needed one or two mishaps to get their entire fleets grounded. So, why can't the same safety standards be adhered to when it comes to these notorious bus-deaths' providers who have regularly achieved their annual death stats without fail ever since their inception in 2005?
I'll tell you why - because SA Road(un)link is "a wholly BEE-owned company" which prioritises the furtherance of Black Economic Empowerment. The bus company further describes itself as a company, "forming and promoting joint ventures with established companies in Africa that are committed to representing the previously disadvantaged."
Stereotype
There goes another company perpetuating the stereotype of "if it's black governed, it's doomed for failure." The only reason officials have been holding back is arguably due to this BEE component which they've crossed fingers will be a success, but it hasn't. And the time has come for these buses to be taken off our roads.
Around 300 people have passed away from the beginning of this season. The most terrifying thought for me is that you can adhere to all the road rules and be the best defensive driver out there, but when that yellow coffin on wheels rams you from behind you're likely to end up like the family of six that was crushed by this bus on Tuesday.
It's scary but true and has led me into second thoughts about hurtling my 1995 jalopy on an 11-hour drive to the Eastern Cape. I think gifts via post office services and phone calls will do. I'd fly but one has to wonder how airport taxes have come to even exceed the actual air ticket price.
For those without the jalopy or flight option it boils down to the bus station - where all buses are fully booked except SA Road(un)link. People will choose to take a bus they've seen year-in and year-out wrecking in the carnage stats. Rather don't travel. It all begins with valuing ones life enough - if you value your life you will not take SA Road(un)link, if you value your life you will not drink and drive, etcetera, etcetera.
Choose life, and if you do find yourself on the road this season pray hard no yellow bus appears in your rear-view mirror; if it does - accelerate, accelerate or take the first turn out of its path.
Travel safe.
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