KZN Transport takes aim at jaywalking and drunk pedestrians
Authorities are widening their net over the holidays targeting not just drunk drivers but jaywalking and drunk pedestrians too.
FOR the first time since Operation Nenzani La Ezweni began last year, the KZN Department of Transport has vowed to extend their reach by cracking down on drunk pedestrians and those causing chaos on busy roads.
The operation, which has been successful in stopping drunk drivers in their tracks and from harming others, will see law enforcement penalise pedestrians who fail to use pedestrian bridges on various routes.
“Critically, for the first time, through 28 pedestrian enforcement operations, we will clamp down against drunk pedestrians who will be walking on busy roads,” said department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya.
Their efforts in eThekwini will be bolstered by patrol units as confirmed by Mayor Cyril Xaba in his Easter Readiness address. He said, “These Metro Police patrol units will address jaywalking by pedestrians throughout the city.”
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Sibiya said the crackdown on pedestrians is part of a larger operation by the department that involves the deployment of 3483 law enforcement officers and 105 national police officers until May 3. “They will be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Sibiya.
The ramp up of the Nenzani La Ezweni Operation will also cover the end of April and the beginning of May which comes with two long weekends and increased traffic, with motorists criss-crossing the province. To slow down speeding motorists and slam the brakes on drunk drivers, the department will have 148 multidisciplinary roadblocks and more than 80 roadblocks that will focus on drunk driving alone.
“We will execute more than 118 speed operations in high-accident zones and other areas frequented by visitors,” said Sibiya. He said the department has also planned 17 interprovincial roadblocks that will be undertaken by a roving team of law enforcement officers.
“We understand that there are school educational tours during the Easter holidays. In this regard, we will execute more than 91 operations focusing on scholar transport. Unroadworthy vehicles and taxis will be removed. We will target not only drivers but also the owners of these vehicles,” said Sibiya.
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