Missing wheels and expired licences: Unsafe Malawi-to-Gauteng bus stopped in Polokwane

Missing wheels and expired licence: Unsafe Malawi-to-Gauteng bus stopped in Polokwane

A bus travelling from Malawi to Gauteng was intercepted on the N1 near Polokwane after traffic officials discovered multiple, serious safety violations, including missing wheels and an expired operating licence.

The stop, carried out by the Polokwane Traffic Control Centre (PTCC) on Sunday, highlighted the dangers posed by poorly maintained and non-compliant vehicles on major cross-border routes.

Dangerous violations uncovered

During the inspection, officers discovered that two wheels on the driving axle were missing, a defect that could easily have led to a catastrophic accident.

Officials also found that the bus’s operating licence had expired on 31 July 2025 and that the vehicle was using a copied licence disc that did not match the vehicle identification number on the manufacturer’s plate. The combination of these violations meant the bus was unroadworthy and posed “a serious danger” to passengers and other road users, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety said.

The driver and the bus operator are now facing investigation, with possible legal action to follow. The department reminded operators that compliance with licensing, vehicle maintenance, and safety regulations is mandatory and non-negotiable.

Public urged to stay vigilant

The department encouraged the public to report unsafe or suspicious vehicles to authorities via the toll-free number, 0800 006 694. Road safety operations are ongoing across Limpopo to curb the prevalence of unroadworthy and overloaded vehicles.

A worrying pattern

This latest interception comes less than a month after traffic authorities stopped an overloaded cross-border bus travelling from Gauteng to Malawi near Polokwane. That 65-seater bus was found carrying 117 occupants, 52 more than its legal capacity, raising similar safety concerns.

“These incidents are a stark reminder that cross-border transport safety remains a serious challenge,” the department said, adding that stricter monitoring and enforcement are essential to prevent accidents and save lives.

As South Africa continues to rely on cross-border passenger transport, incidents like these underscore the need for vigilance from both authorities and commuters. The hope is that ongoing road safety initiatives will make journeys safer for everyone on the N1 corridor.