18 November 2008

Johannesburg - A woman was killed and 23 people were injured in a bus crash near Mzinti in the Mpumalanga lowveld on Tuesday morning, said police.

Superintendent Abie Khoabane said 24 passengers were being taken to Umbhaba farm when a tyre burst.

The driver lost control and crashed into a stationary Buscor bus near the Mzinti junction around 06:30.

A 30-year-old woman died at the scene. Twenty-three other people were rushed to Tonga hospital for medical treatment.

Three people were treated for minor injuries. The rest, including the driver, sustained serious injuries.

Police would investigate a case of culpable homicide.

18 November 2008

New moped owners who plan to be tested for their motorcycle licences on their scooters are quite likely to fail.

That's the word from traffic authorities. They say Vespa number plates are not the legal size, being too small.

Before Sarah Lambert could even start the test at the Bellville Traffic Department she was failed, as the Vespa plates were not officially approved, said the traffic officer who failed her.

The officer informed her that no Vespas owners had approved number plates and all were unceremoniously failed on arrival.

City traffic spokesperson Merle Lourens said the company and bike owners should be made aware of the standard size for number plate digits.

"That (failing her) is quite correct. You have to make an adjustment to the number plate, unless the transport MEC gives you special permission. There...

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18 November 2008

Over a thousand people were arrested in Sebokeng over the weekend, Gauteng police said on Tuesday.

Cluster commander Director Michael Motlhala said the 1 405 arrests were for crimes ranging from rape, armed robbery, house breaking, theft, murder and assault.

Other crimes included possession of unlicenced firearms, possession of dagga, malicious damage to property and drunken driving.

Motlhala said the arrests were part of crime prevention operations undertaken during preparation for the festive season. - Sapa

18 November 2008

Only emergencies warrant authorised motorists to use blue lights and sirens, and to drive at excessive speed on condition that it is safe to other road users.

This is the interpretation of the National Road Traffic Act by Automobile Association spokesperson Gary Ronald.

He was speaking in the wake of a police officer being arrested at the weekend after shooting out the tyre of a vehicle travelling on the N3. The officer was in a convoy on its way to fetch welfare MEC Meshack Radebe from his Hammarsdale home.

"When they are going to break a traffic law because of an emergency, they are allowed to flash their lights and sound their sirens, but this has to be done with due regard to other road users," said Ronald.

He said motorists generally gave way to vehicles with blazing lights and blaring ...

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