This week, Steelburger/Lydenburg News discovered the truth: This by-law was promulgated in the Provincial Gazette almost a year ago.

On April 5, 2019 the province of Mpumulanga printed the by-laws pertaining to heavy trucks and abnormal loads. Since then, the newspaper has been told time after time that this law has not been published.

In September last year, residents even went as far as to draft up a petition against the trucks, unaware that a by-law preventing them from making use of the town roads was sitting right under their noses. In September, TCLM again stated in a response to the newspaper that the law has not been promulgated.

Spiros Couvaras, DA councillor, and Steelburger/Lydenburg News managed to get hold of the by-law. It clearly states what restrictions with regard to heavy vehicles ought to be adhered to.

READ: By-laws will not stop the trucks

The by-law states under section 53 of this law – permit for excess weight – that where a vehicle or combination of vehicles, equipment or machinery exceeds the maximum vehicle gross weight, the operator of the vehicle shall not operate or move on the street unless the operator has a valid permit issued by the director of technical services to exceed the maximum vehicle gross weight fixed by this by-law.

It further states that in such instances, a permit fee shall be issued, as by the sub prescribed in the Municipal Tariffs. A permit issued under this section, will, however, expire two months after the date of issue.

In section 56 the law clearly sets out which vehicles will be restricted on account of dimensions. Subject to the height of the clearance of any sign, subway or bridge (as in Voortrekker Street), no person shall operate or move on any street any combination of vehicles in excess of the dimensions prescribed in section 56.

Also Read: Watch: ATDF members detain several trucks in Steelpoort

Subsection 56.1 reads that subject to Regulations 221 – 230 of the National Road Traffic Act (RTA) 93/1996 and Regulation 220 of the RTA that articulated vehicles, drawing vehicles and semi-trailers will not exceed 18,5 metres and that combination vehicles will not exceed 22 metres. Vehicles with a mass greater than 12 000 kilograms Gross Vehicle Rating (GVR) and a maximum width of
2,6 metres are restricted.

The excuse TCLM has for the weight no being monitored is that of a weighbridge. “Not a problem,” said Couvaras. “Each truck is issued with a weighbridge clearance form from the mines, by which weight can be determined and managed.”

Couvaras said the lack of implementation of the by-law is nothing less than incompetence in leadership.
A copy of these by-laws should have also been given to the local SAPS. This has never been done. This would have enabled the local police to also act upon the implementation of the by-law, should a by-law officer or traffic officer not
be present.

The newspaper contacted TCLM to find out why this information was withheld from the community for almost a year.

Themba Sibiya, communications manager of TCLM, said they have received the enquiries, but by the time of going to press, neither answer nor explanation was received.