Umzimvubu Local Municipality has successfully completed the construction of a dedicated public transport pound, marking an important step towards strengthening the regulation, enforcement and safety of public transport operations within the municipal area. The newly completed facility was visited by the Mayor of Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Cllr Zukiswa Ndevu, on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, as part of her PR Week oversight programme, which provides an opportunity for the Mayor to assess municipal projects and service delivery initiatives on the ground. The public transport pound forms part of the Municipality’s strategic efforts to promote safe, orderly and compliant public transport operations across Umzimvubu. The Municipality has identified a volume of non-compliant public transport operators operating within its boundaries as a significant regulatory and road-safety challenge. The establishment of a dedicated and legally recognised holding facility will provide the Municipality with the necessary infrastructure to strengthen enforcement measures against public transport operators who contravene applicable transport legislation. Once the facility has been officially registered, the Municipality will be in a stronger position to lawfully impound vehicles found to be operating without valid permits, violating route allocations or otherwise contravening applicable public transport laws. The facility has been approved to meet requirements by the Department of Transport the necessary infrastructure and security requirements for the safe custody of impounded vehicles. Its establishment therefore provides an important foundation for more effective enforcement and regulatory processes within the municipal area. The initiative is aligned with the Municipality’s responsibility to contribute towards a public transport environment that is safe, regulated and compliant with the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) and relevant provincial legislation. During her oversight visit, Mayor Ndevu welcomed the completion of the facility, emphasising the importance of municipal infrastructure that responds directly to challenges experienced by communities. “Once officially registered and operational, the public transport pound will not only strengthen the Municipality’s capacity to enforce compliance within the public transport sector but will also contribute to revenue generation through applicable impoundment, storage and related fees in line with approved municipal tariffs and relevant legislation. The facility therefore represents an investment in both effective law enforcement and the Municipality’s broader efforts to improve its financial sustainability while ensuring that public transport operators comply with the law”, expressed Mayor Ndevu. The facility will further enhance coordination between the Municipality and relevant law-enforcement and transport authorities in addressing violations and ensuring that public transport operators adhere to the requirements governing their operations. The completion of the public transport pound is another demonstration of Umzimvubu Local Municipality’s commitment to strengthening its regulatory capacity and creating an environment where public services are delivered within a framework of safety, accountability and compliance.