Female traffic officers to increase visibility on roads

Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola made a commitment during the launch of Women in Law Enforcement Operations at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday that his office would have absorbed all traffic officials currently participating in an internship programme by 1 December in order to increase visibility on Limpopo roads.
He indicated that the exercise would help ongoing Operation Swara Tsotsi to continue hitting hard on criminals and motorists who don’t obey the rules of the road.
He emphasised that the Police and Traffic officials must work hand in glove to restore law and order in the community and build a safer province for all.
On the issues of community unrest, Mase­mola stressed that although residents have rights to voice their grievances through protest, law enforcers cannot allow them to deprive others of their rights.

“Our Police are all over the province dealing with community protest whereas they should be chasing after criminals. We urge our people to raise such issues in a civilised and peaceful manner to allow our Police to fight crime. I also encourage our law enforcement agencies to be harsh on criminals,” Masemola stated.
The launch commenced with a road block on the N1 in the morning followed by a multi-disciplinary parade from SABC Park to the Department of Transport and Community Safety’s headquarters and the formal programme at the stadium.
In the afternoon, Masemola and Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba conducted walkabouts at Limpopo Mall taxi rank where trading in drugs and dagga was reportedly found to be the order of the day.
A team of female law enforcers would embark on operations throughout the month of August, it was learnt.

Story/photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za