Community members in the Tshitale area who are travelling on Phadziri buses to work every day allege that it is more like committing suicide. This comes after one of the buses belonging to the Phadziri Bus Company crashed as a result of brake failure, leaving 47 passengers injured. Fortunately, no one died during the accident.

The accident took place at Mpofu village in the Nthabalala area last Friday (23rd). The driver of the bus, Mr Andrew Rangolo, said the brakes of the bus failed while he was driving down the hill. He was only left with one option, namely of crashing into the trees in order to get the bus to stop. Rangolo, who had oil all over his clothes, told Mirror that he is forced to drive and fix the bus at the same time. He said something broke and the brakes failed. He alleges that he had adjusted the brakes before the trip.

The bus, according to Rangolo, had more than 47 passengers on board. Those who were injured during the accident were rushed to the nearby Elim Hospital.

Commuters who are forced to travel on the buses say that if government does not act in time, a lot of lives will be lost, because the buses continue to operate even when they are not roadworthy.

Commuters in Vleifontein, Sinthumule and Kutama have in the past staged several protest marches against the Phadziri Bus Company. The commuters had to meet with the office of the MEC, Ms Pinky Kekana, several times while trying to resolve the transport problem in their area. They say that the bus company does not care for them. They arrive late at work and the fact that the buses are not roadworthy puts their lives in danger.

Phadziri buses were among the taxis and buses which were recently impounded by the Limpopo traffic department as a result of being unroadworthy and the lack of proper permits.

When Mirror arrived at the scene of the accident last Friday, the bus´s tyres were also not in a good condition. Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Phadziri Bus Company, Mr Thilivhali Ramashidzha, were unsuccessful.