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Robin Carlisle, MEC for Transport and Public Works, and Dan Plato, MEC for Community Safety today met with representatives for SA Roadlink to hear plans of an improved SA Roadlink in its operations and commitment to passenger safety. SA Roadlink’s Chief Operations Officer, Joe Mushwana and National Sales Manager, Nolin Padayachee were in attendance.

Issues discussed ranged from a lack of dedicated depots across the country, the inspection of vehicles after long journeys, the various offenses that had been committed by SA Roadlink’s drivers, and the prevalence of offenses by SA Roadlink busses as opposed to other long distance carriers. Issues were raised with regard to the roadworthiness of SA Roadlink’s buses that had been stopped in roadblocks in recent times (some statistics are attached to this email).

SA Roadlink informed the MECs that they had entered into an agreement with Scania to provide a new fleet of buses in the next year (25 of which had been purchased already), as well as a three year replacement period for all of their buses. Mr Mushwana and Mr Padayachee committed to addressing the various issues that plague the company internally, which have negatively affected their business. Mr Padayachee alluded to there being negative elements that have infiltrated the company in a bid to sabotage operations, and that they are dealing with these elements and individuals.

“My commitment remains to ensure that all public transport carriers are safe in the way that they conduct themselves on our roads, as well as for the commuters who make use of them as a means to travel long distances,” said Carlisle.

“The proof of all the steps, that SA Roadlink says they are going to take to ensure that they fully comply, remains to be seen. We will provide information to SA Roadlink relating to offenses that we find on our roads during our inspections. I have received assurances from SA Roadlink management that they will attend to these matters and ensure that fines do not go unpaid,” added Carlisle.