Vhembe road safety campaign targets drunk driving and rising fatalities
Eighty-four people have died in Vhembe road crashes between April and September this year, officials urge motorists to obey traffic laws.
LIMPOPO – With road accidents continuing to claim lives across Vhembe, a road safety awareness campaign was held on Thursday in Majosi village.
The event formed part of the 2025 October Transport Awareness Month, launched under the theme ‘Let’s Work Together to Move South Africa’.
Nduvheni Gift Munyai from the Department of Transport, Traffic and Law Enforcement presented alarming statistics, revealing that between April and September, 84 people had died in road-related incidents – 34 of them young people returning from bottle stores.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives in our district. Alcohol abuse remains a major concern,” he said.
Highlighting recent tragedies, he cited an accident on the R524 Punda Maria Road near Thohoyandou that claimed six lives, another in Louis Trichardt that killed 44 people, and six more fatalities in Thulamela.
Mayor Freda Nkondo, speaking at the launch, urged residents to take road safety seriously.
“Please don’t drink and drive. Arrive alive. We want to see zero fatalities.”
Nkondo encouraged motorists to rest during long trips, pedestrians to wear reflective clothing at night, and community members to drink responsibly, preferably at home.
The event was attended by Collins Chabane Mayor Shadrack Maluleke, traditional leaders from Majosi, members of the mayoral committee, and community representatives.
Nkondo joined traffic officers at a roadblock to inspect vehicles and drivers’ licences. She reminded motorists to obey traffic rules and called on taxi and bus drivers to prioritise commuter safety. One taxi driver was fined for operating without a fire extinguisher.
Moris Vukeya, known as Boy Sebenza and speaking on behalf of livestock owners, urged farmers to prevent road incidents caused by stray animals.
“It is unfair that lives are lost because of our negligence. The government fenced off grazing areas for safety, but some have removed those fences. We must stop this behaviour,” he said.
The Vhembe Emergency Medical Services (EMS) reaffirmed their readiness to respond to emergencies, pledging round-the-clock service with a fleet of 141 ambulances.
