Emalahleni Traffic Department running on empty
A weekend traffic blitz has sparked debate over the municipality’s long-term policing strategy.
A joint law enforcement operation at the Phola off-ramp has highlighted concerns over the Emalahleni Local Municipality’s policing strategy.
The operation leaves the community questioning whether the exercise was a one-off blitz or a sustainable safety initiative, considering there are not enough traffic officers to enforce road rules in the City of Coal.
READ MORE Licence office closed indefinitely
Critical staff shortage
Concerns over staffing were first raised during a council meeting in June, when details of the critical shortage were made public.
The municipality currently employs 25 traffic officials to service Ga-Nala, eMalahleni and Vosman.
“It is indeed challenging for the municipality to survive with a limited capacity of traffic officers, and we need at least 42 additional traffic officers and 50 additional traffic vehicles,” said municipal spokesperson Lebo Mofokeng.
Weekend policing concerns
Cllr Maureen Scheepers recently raised concerns regarding after-hours safety, questioning why visible policing is non-existent over weekends.
Mofokeng said traffic officials are on duty until 21:30 and work over weekends, but acknowledged they might not be visible in all areas due to the personnel shortage.
All avenues to conduct operations at the main licensing office have been explored https://t.co/1809MFWADY #licenceoffice #emalahlenilicensing #licence #witbanknews pic.twitter.com/xCOuXeqjMS
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) July 28, 2026
Joint operation at Phola
Motorists travelling to Phola over the weekend of July 11 were met by a show of force when the Emalahleni Traffic Department, Law Enforcement Unit and provincial Traffic Department were deployed in full force.
Witbank News reached out to the municipality for the operational outcomes of the blitz, specifically requesting the number of fines issued and total revenue generated.
Mofokeng said the operation at Phola was arranged by Vosman SAPS.
Witbank News is awaiting feedback from Vosman SAPS.
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