Hundreds of vehicles taken off the highway
As Mpumalanga we are not going leave a single stone unturned. We want to make sure that we have fewer accidents this year, we also urge other provinces to work with us, and for example this taxi is unroadworthy. It travelled all the way from Johannesburg upto here and no one had stopped it until we did. In Mpumalanga we say enough is enough
KAAPMUIDEN – In an effort to reduce road fatalities this festive season the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga, together with other stakeholders, conducted a huge roadblock just before the Kaapmuiden Toll Plaza.
The department’s MEC Mr Vusi Shongwe said this was part of the Overall Friday Campaign which involved stakeholders such as the SAPS, provincial and local traffic officers, the Department of Home Affairs and SARS. A number of vehicles, including a cross-border taxi from Johannesburg en route to Maputo, were impounded on the scene. The taxi was declared unroadworthy.
“As Mpumalanga we are not going leave a single stone unturned. We want to make sure that we have fewer accidents this year, we also urge other provinces to work with us, and for example this taxi is unroadworthy. It travelled all the way from Johannesburg upto here and no one had stopped it until we did. In Mpumalanga we say enough is enough,” said Shongwe.
Since the beginning of the festive season 1 987 vehicles have been stopped, 585 summons issued, 578 vehicles impounded of which 514 of them are minibus taxis, 43 midi- and 23 buses. Also 29 drivers have been arrested for drinking and driving. “There is a serious problem during the festive season: people get too excited, some have bonuses and they drink and drive, most people think life ends during this time of the year. The volume of traffic increases and drivers’ impatience often leads to reckless driving, If possible people should stay at home and rest,” he said.
The department recently bought a total of 38 brand-new vehicles for the police and traffic departments, including an ambulance and two fully equipped vehicles to track down offenders.
“The two vehicles are equipped with technology to record speed while the vehicle is in motion, detect offenders and will be able to record how an incident happened. Traffic officers who use them will be given special training to operate them in Gauteng. Traffic offenders will be caught by these cars,” concluded Shongwe.
