By: Natasha Archary

Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) has suspended a driver after he refused an 11-year boy on board because he lost his gold card.
As a result, Lifalethu Mbasana, a Grade 6 learner was left stranded and had to walk almost 38km from Simons Town to his home in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.
The little boy’s mother notified community groups after he did not return home at his usual time on Monday, 22 July.
Lifalethu was supposed to have taken a bus after school at 14h30 but had lost his bus card and the driver refused to let him on board.
It took the 11-year old more than 8-hours to get home and he walked a long way from Simons Town to Strandfontein before a good samaritan offered him a lift to Mandela Park.
He was assisted by security in Mandela Park who drove him the remainder of his route home, late on Monday evening.
Sipho Mbasana, the boy’s father thanked the community for spreading the word about their son’s ordeal with the Golden Arrows bus driver and said he was grateful to the people who helped his son along the way.
“To the Simonstown Community Group, thank you for the support. I am Lifa’s father and can confirm the boy is safe at home with body pains from walking more than 37km. Along the way he met people who showed him love and support until he reached the destination.”
Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke Beyer said immediate action was taken against the driver and he was suspended.
The company has a policy to assist scholars in situations where they may have lost their gold cards, and said the driver failed in his duties to do so.
Bronwen said the company assisted in the search for the child and have been in contact with the parents.
Also read: 12 Pretoria Girls High learners suspended for suspected racism



