KZN premier promises satellite station in Pongola

ON a recent visit to Pongola, KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube revealed a series of interventions to improve road safety and revive economic activities in the area.

These include the opening of a traffic satellite station to intensify law enforcement operations.

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The plans are aimed at improving road safety measures following last month’s fatal truck crash that killed 20 people.

Accompanied by Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka, Dube-Ncube visited bereaved families of the Pongola crash and engaged with stakeholders and the community.

The meeting was also attended by Zululand House of Traditional Leaders chairperson iNkosi Ntshangase, the local municipality, truck owners, and community leaders.

Dube-Ncube provided social relief and comforted the bereaved families during a special prayer for healing and an end to road fatalities.

The premier and MEC Hlomuka also participated in a multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation on the N2 in Godlwayo.

Since September, more than 503 vehicles have been stopped on the N2 in Pongola, with more than 61 charges meted out against errant drivers and companies.

More integrated operations are planned as part of joint interventions with police, focusing on fighting crime, including the transportation of drugs.

A foreign national was arrested for trafficking dagga during last week’s operation.
Operations intensified

“We are going to be intensifying law enforcement operations as part of improving road safety in the area. Our priority is protecting human lives,” said Dube-Ncube.

“We must, however, balance that with the reviving and rebuilding of the economy to create jobs.

“We are confident that with the comprehensive safety plans that have been developed, and measures that we announced today, we will work together with the community of Pongola to ensure stability in the area.

“We have also had an opportunity to meet and pray with the families of the victims who lost their lives in the tragic accident, because providing post-trauma support and counselling for the families is our priority as government.

“We are also going to develop a joint operational plan between KZN traffic police and Mpumalanga to focus on heavy vehicles. Sanral has to improve signage and install rumble strips along roads that are near schools and communities,” she said.

During the meeting, community leaders and various stakeholders agreed to reopen the road to allow side-tipper trucks to resume using the N2.

The national route has been closed by the community since the fatal truck and bakkie accident, in protest against trucks operating in the area.

The reopening of the road will be supported by an improved security plan.

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