OPINION: Traffic authority needs to act against ‘total lawlessness’

Does the South Coast have a dedicated municipal law enforcement department? If it does, is there someone among the management structures that would be willing to share with the general public how this department is configured and what the duties of this department are exactly. Also share with the public the number and breakdown of personnel in this department and what the cost is to the ratepayers.

The reason for me posing these questions to the management at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and, in particular, the mayor, is that there is total lawlessness among road users (especially taxi operators) in the district.

The fact that there are still ongoing roadworks on the Main Harding Road from town to Marburg should not be an excuse for taxis totally disregarding red traffic lights, parking and blocking off sections of town, and hampering proper traffic flows through town.

There is absolutely no policing done in the CBD.
Double-parking vehicles with no driver in sight is the norm. Traffic lights are being totally ignored and have become obsolete.

Even the odd law enforcement vehicles are double-parked and the occupants either in the butchery or other shops. Is this what ratepayers are paying for?
In the mornings and afternoons, Colley Street and Bazley Street, at the corner of the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital, is a total nightmare.

On the odd occasion I see three or four law enforcement officials at the crossing, one attending to the pedestrian crossing and the other two, sometimes three, are either on cellphones or chatting away, totally ignoring the traffic mayhem in front of them.

After dropping off learners at Port Shepstone High School and trying to exit Colley Street, taxi operators will choose to stop in front of the traffic offloading their passengers, ignoring pleas to move by either swearing and showing signs.

They will then also proceed to make a u-turn inside the crossing disrupting the traffic flow.
By the hospital double-parking causes chaos everyday, yet there are ‘no parking’ signs, but not policed. This is totally unacceptable!

Hence my question, does the South Coast have a municipal law enforcement department?
Should this expense not be investigated as a fruitless and wasteful expenditure? Currently, judging by the chaos on our roads the ratepayers are not getting value for money.

Taxis from town coming down Reynolds Street and entering Colley Street heading towards Bazley crossing sometimes travel three abreast, forcing traffic out the way, ignoring any traffic lights and heading south to Oslo Beach or Marburg.

A precedent of lawlessness among road users (especially taxis) has been set by a totally ineffective law enforcement department (if there is one).

Habits are not broken by a department that is visible once a month when doing a roadblock.
Behaviour is changed when the law is applied consistently, 24-7 and 365 days of the year. Not seasonal policing!

On any given day I can drive from Sheppie to Shelly and count at least five cars without number plates. Taxis with smooth tyres are numerous.
Is it because municipal staff also own taxis that taxi operators are allowed to break rules as they please?

BERND KANKOWSKI

RESPONSE FROM RNM

The municipality appreciates the opportunity to comment on the letter.
However, it is opting not to respond to the letter, except to say, yes, the municipality has the department that deals with law enforcement, and it is doing its work according to available resources and possible means.

One of the reasons for opting not to respond to the letter is because RNM appreciates and acknowledges the frustrations and inconveniences as a result of development taking place in an area that is already in use.

SIMON APRIL
Acting HOD: Strategic Planning and Governance

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