Heavy holiday traffic at Middelburg Toll Plaza
Law enforcement intensified road safety operations at the Middelburg Toll Plaza on the N4 yesterday as holidaymakers returned home and traffic volumes increased.
As the festive season came to an end, holiday return traffic peaked yesterday, January 4, along the N4 near Middelburg, with steady congestion recorded at the Middelburg Toll Plaza.
Law enforcement agencies conducted a high-visibility road safety operation at the toll plaza, focusing on the safe movement of motorists travelling back to Gauteng and other inland destinations after the holidays.
The operation was led by Thulasizwe Thomo, Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Transport, who joined traffic inspectors and SAPS members on the ground. Officers inspected vehicles, monitored traffic flow, and engaged directly with motorists, reinforcing the Arrive Alive campaign during one of the busiest travel weekends of the festive period.
“We continue to urge all road users and public transport operators to drive responsibly, obey traffic laws, and prioritise safety,” Thomo said during the operation.
The Mpumalanga Transport Inspectorate confirmed that public transport vehicles were a key focus area, with officials checking roadworthiness, permits, and driver compliance as traffic volumes increased throughout the day.
In a related enforcement drive on the N4, Mandla Ndlovu led a multidisciplinary team targeting traffic violations between Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Several unroadworthy vehicles were clamped, while motorists found contravening traffic regulations were dealt with on the spot.
Premier Ndlovu said the number of road fatalities recorded during the festive period in the province remained concerning, with many crashes linked to speeding, reckless driving, and non-compliance with traffic laws. He confirmed that stop-and-go operations will continue as authorities maintain a strong presence on major routes.
Motorists travelling through Middelburg were urged to remain patient at toll plazas, plan their trips carefully, and allow extra travel time, particularly during peak hours.
Authorities again reminded drivers that arriving alive is more important than arriving quickly, as traffic volumes gradually return to normal following the festive season.
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