KZN sees dramatic reduction in Easter weekend road fatalities
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has reported a significant drop in road fatalities over the Easter weekend, marking a notable improvement compared to the same period last year.
According to department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya, this improvement follows a coordinated road safety operation involving disaster management teams and traffic enforcement officials. These teams were strategically deployed to high-traffic areas, including the N3 northbound route and the Marian Hill Toll Plaza.
Speaking on the sidelines on the Marian Hill Toll plaza on Monday with Newzroom Afrika, Sibiya said: 'Last night and this morning, the MEC Siboniso Duma spoke to me and expressed his deep appreciation to the motorists who are working here tonight. He also saluted the highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate, working in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and national authorities.''
As part of the intensified campaign, approximately 120 traffic officers were dispatched across major routes such as the N2 and N3. These teams used advanced monitoring technologies, including the uMemezi Wezimoto, an anti-crime software that the MEC launched on Friday.
'We've been able to detect motorists masquerading as worshippers to avoid checkpoints. About 77 vehicles were impounded for operating without valid permits, 258 motorists were charged for speeding, and 13 individuals were arrested for drinking and driving,' Sibiya revealed.
He emphasised that stricter legal measures are being applied to offenders.
'The MEC said we are aiming for six-year prison sentences, leveraging the amended National Road Traffic Act to ensure that offenders face serious consequences.'
Comparing the outcomes to the previous year, Sibiya highlighted a remarkable reduction in fatalities.
''More than 15,600 cars have been stopped and checked by the teams,'' he said.
Sibiya noted that they were quite happy with how they had executed the road safety campaign.
'We had around 21 crashes and fatalities during this period last year. This year, unfortunately, there have been six fatalities—but that's still a significant improvement.'
Moreover, Sibiya said the province's heightened enforcement operations will continue over the upcoming public holidays, including Freedom Day on April 28 and Workers' Day on May 1, 2025. Authorities will maintain a strong focus on unlicensed vehicles, roadworthiness, and incidents of drinking and driving, he said.
'We don't want moving coffins on our roads,' Sibiya said.
'We've been extremely strict, and that's why the MEC has extended his gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the road safety campaign.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
21 hours ago
- IOL News
Umhlanga police station upgrades to enhance community safety
Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson (right) and eThekwini Ward 35 Councillor Bradley Singh discuss possible upgrades to the Umhlanga police station. Image: Supplied Umhlanga's rapid growth and development needed a police station to meet its demands, said ratepayers when they met with the Minister of Public Works, Dean Macpherson, in Durban on Monday. On Monday, while attending the KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure's Construction Imbizo in Durban, Macpherson complied with eThekwini Ward 35 Councillor Bradley Singh's request to inspect the Umhlanga police station. Singh said the visit resulted in a commitment to address long-standing infrastructure issues at the police station, which was used by the SAPS and Durban metro police. Key interventions agreed upon include: Immediate installation of a perimeter fence to enhance security. Repairs to the main gate to ensure controlled access. Restoration of the generator to full operational capacity. 'The Minister has committed to initiating the process of constructing a permanent building for the Umhlanga Police Station, replacing the current prefabricated structure. This marks a significant step toward establishing a fully functional and dignified facility for both officers and the community,' he said. Singh said that after years of advocacy by residents, their voices were being heard, with the upgrades expected to improve safety and service delivery in Umhlanga. 'The Department of Public Works and SAPS will collaborate closely to expedite the projects, with timelines to be communicated in due course.' Singh said the entire facility, including its grounds and offices, are in a shocking condition and fails to comply with basic health and safety regulations. He added that as a police station serving the Umhlanga community, its current state reflects poorly on the department and undermines public confidence. Terri MacLarty, chairperson Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA), who was also in attendance at the site visit, said they were delighted with the progress made. She said that ratepayers have been in support of making conditions more workable for the metro police who have been stationed at police stations since September 2022 and have worked under challenging conditions. 'We have engaged with the councillor to prevent metro police from relocating to KwaMashu as a result of poor working conditions and given that development in Umhlanga has rendered it no longer a village, but rather a Central Business District,' she said. MacLarty said it was imperative that the metro policing of by-laws be stepped up and that they needed to have a permanent presence in Umhlanga. 'We are also appealing to eThekwini to increase metro resources to ensure that Umhlanga does not deteriorate, given the lawlessness that is and has crept in. Our thanks to Councillor Bradley Singh for acting swiftly, and we look forward to a temporarily improved and secure station, and ultimately a new structure to service the Umhlanga community, which is long overdue. The metro and SAPS put their lives on the line for us, and they deserve better,' she said. [email protected]
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Exams delayed after thieves steal equipment from school
'As we speak now, I'm seated with the school governing body to find a solution for the examinations to continue as planned. We are using other printers which were not stolen, but they are very slow, which will delay us. 'It's sad that some older people decide to steal something that belongs to their children, so we are asking anyone for help,' she said. Mpumalanga education MEC Cathy Dlamini called for anyone with information to contact the police. 'This [theft] is a big concern as we regard schools as something that belongs to the community and needs its protection at all costs, as it involves the future of their children.' Dlamini said the theft of equipment undermines the department's efforts to ensure that schools are adequately resourced and hinders the ability of schools to effectively conduct learning and teaching. 'The department urges communities to refrain from purchasing stolen goods and to report individuals suspected of engaging in the sale of stolen items,' she said. The school has a security guard and he is said to have rushed to the nearby KaMhlushwa police station to report the burglary, but by then the thieves had already escaped.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Sassa ‘fraudsters' could face charges if they don't update income status
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) urged beneficiaries who no longer qualify for social grants but continue to receive payments to update their income status. It warned that failure to do so might lead to criminal charges being pursued against those beneficiaries. This follows a joint investigation with credit bureaus revealing that about 210 000 individuals have been fraudulently receiving the grant despite changes in their income status. Read more: Sassa delays June payments over undisclosed income Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the agency discovered that some beneficiaries failed to disclose alternative incomes, with some using multiple bank accounts to separate employment earnings from grant funds. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, he urged beneficiaries who are still receiving the grants despite a change in their income to voluntarily visit their nearest Sassa office to update their income status. He noted that beneficiaries have been given two weeks [starting from June 2] to present themselves at their nearest Sassa office with the necessary documentation. 'They have to ask the Sasssa official to update their status.' Also read: Sassa announces June grant payment days He further warned that failure to comply could lead to criminal charges being pursued against beneficiaries. 'We don't want to go to that level; that is why we are appealing to them to do the right thing.' He revealed that some beneficiaries were identified as public servants. 'When it's a public servant, we have a Personnel and Salary System number, so we can trace them easily. We can block the grant and recover government resources given fraudulently.' Sassa hopes to avoid taking legal action but will assess compliance after the two-week deadline. 'We will evaluate the response rate and commitments made. A report from our fraud management unit will guide the next steps.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Sassa extends deadline to swift to new cards At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
