An overloaded bus carrying Malawian nationals from Gauteng to Malawi has been impounded in Polokwane, leaving 117 passengers, including minors, stranded. Traffic officials arrested the driver after discovering the vehicle exceeded its capacity by 52 people. Passengers report feeling unsafe and hungry while awaiting the bus owner's payment of fines.
On December 18, 2025, traffic officials in Limpopo impounded a 65-seater bus on the N1 highway in Polokwane, stranding Malawian travelers en route from Gauteng to their home country. The vehicle was carrying 117 occupants—1 driver, 101 passengers, and 15 minors—far exceeding its legal limit by 52 people. The driver was arrested on the spot, and Limpopo transport authorities conducted an inspection at the Polokwane weighbridge to enforce road safety regulations.
Passengers, including adults and children, have been left without food since morning, gathered at the traffic centre. One traveler, Elastin Khamanga, expressed frustration over the situation. He had requested a refund upon noticing the overload but received none. "We are stranded here, we didn’t eat since the morning till now," Khamanga said. "We are trying to push the owner of the bus but he is just saying just wait just wait but you see all this people are suffering. We are waiting for them to release us, so far police have already released us so that we can go but this bus is not roadworthy for long distance."
Khamanga also voiced concerns about safety at the facility, highlighting the discomfort of the extended wait. The group awaits the bus owner's arrival to settle the fines for release. This incident underscores ongoing challenges with cross-border transport safety in the region, where overloaded vehicles pose significant risks to passengers.