DEAR Editor,-
While precious public funds are spent on lavish new vehicles for ministers, MECs and the president’s wives, innocent people are left to die on our roads. The Democratic Alliance Ugu South Constituency is concerned by the continuing inaction by both SANRAL and Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to prevent illegal U-turns at the Izotsha Ramp Toll Plaza on the R61 near Shelly Beach.
The community is angry and demands answers, after numerous fatal accidents and several near-misses due to these illegal practices.
One of the worst of these accidents resulted in three people being burnt beyond recognition. All this to avoid paying an R8 toll fee. This places the lives of residents of the area and road users in grave danger and must be stopped immediately.
As Democratic Alliance MPL for the Ugu South Constituency, I have raised this problem with my colleagues in the National Assembly, Manny de Freitas MP and the KZN Provincial Legislature, Rafeek Shah MPL. We have sent numerous letters to the relevant bodies. We have received email correspondence from SANRAL saying that while there are plans for upgrades on the R61, construction will only start in 20 to 24 months due to budgetary constraints. In the meantime, our people must live in danger.
We also find that the problems within the Port Shepstone branch of RTI are affecting the patrolling and enforcement of traffic laws at the off-ramp. This despite numerous assurances from the HOD of the Department of Transport to activate local RTI efforts. This has failed to occur.
It is obvious that the RTI does not have the situation under control or cares about the safety of road users. This is a consequence of an uncaring ANC government.
As the DA, we will be calling for more civic actions to force the government’s hand. We will be putting together a petition to submit to the National Assembly to force government and SANRAL to start R61 upgrades. The people of the South Coast deserve a government that respects human lives and works to keep all its citizens safe from harm.
Dr RISHIGEN VIRANNA MPL
Constituency Head: Ugu South
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