Latest news with #EThekwini
The Herald
18-05-2025
- The Herald
KZN premier condemns Umlazi mass shooting, urges swift action
He said the community must rail against people committing crimes and engaging in drugs. 'People must live in harmony we can achieve that if everyone in the province of KZN can stand together and say enough is enough.' He urged community safety structures to work closely with the police to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. EThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba also condemned the mass murder, urging the police to leave no stone unturned in finding the perpetrators of 'the heinous' crime. Xaba also called on members of the community who might have witnessed the incident to share information with the police. 'We would like to convey our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish those who were left injured a speedy recovery. We have full confidence that the law enforcement agencies, led by Gen Mkhwanazi will find the suspects and bring them to book,' said Xaba. Xaba also called for calm in the area, urging the community to give the police the space to conduct a thorough investigation. The EFF in the province said they were mourning the death of the victims which included minors. Provincial chairperson Mongezi Twala conveyed the party's condolences to the bereaved families and the broader community whose safety has once again been shattered by the relentless wave of violent crime gripping the province. Twala said the province remains one of the worst crime regions, which is compounded by the police service being under resourced. 'This brutal incident exposes yet again the urgent need for decisive state intervention to protect the lives and livelihood of our people,' said Twala. He called upon the police to undertake a thorough, transparent and expeditious investigation that leaves no stone unturned and bring the perpetrators to justice. 'We further implore national and provincial government to allocate additional personnel, forensics capacity and specialised Investigative units to KwaZulu-Natal so that law enforcement agencies are better equipped to stem the pervasive tide of violence and immediately dissolve notorious gangs such as the West gang which continues to terrorise communities.' He vowed the EFF will pursue every available mechanism, such as legislative, legal and community based mechanisms, to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied. 'We commit ourselves to working alongside the affected families until accountability is secured and genuine safety is restored in Umlazi. The blood of our people cannot be allowed to spill with impunity,' said Twala. He said the government must act decisively. 'The community must be protected and the dignity of those whose lives were stolen must be honoured through swift and uncompromising justice.' TimesLIVE
IOL News
12-05-2025
- IOL News
Transport Deputy Minister highlights urgent need for pedestrian road safety
Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the national Department of Transport will be disseminating an important message: let's be safe on the roads. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers In a concerted push to enhance road safety, the National Department of Transport launched the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week campaign at one of Durban's busiest taxi ranks on Sunday. Running from May 12 to 18, the campaign, themed 'Make Walking and Cycling Safe,' aims to illuminate the critical need for awareness regarding the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa delivered a poignant message highlighting alarming statistics regarding pedestrian safety. He stated that 44% of those killed during Easter were pedestrians. 'This means we still need to engage on a higher level with South Africans on respecting the rules of the road. It's small issues, but they are important. Do not cross where it is not allowed. If there are robots, go and cross at the robots and don't weave between vehicles. Freeways are not for walking. Let's wear bright clothing when walking on the roads at night so that motorists and other road users can see us. Let us not drink and walk on the road. Let us not drink and drive,' Hlengwa said. 'The message for the week and all days that will follow is to talk more about the importance of road safety.' Hlengwa said that for the whole of next week, the national department will be in KwaZulu-Natal, visiting various areas, disseminating an important message: let's be safe on the roads. EThekwini human settlements, engineering and transport chairperson Themba Mvubu said the launch should send a strong message because they want the city to play a meaningful role in road safety issues. 'During this campaign, we want to make walking and cycling safe. We strongly believe that we can succeed in this if we intensify law enforcement,' Mvubu said. 'We are pleased that this city developed the non-motorised transport bylaw, which empowers the municipality to establish non-motorised facilities and provide for their use and regulation. The bylaw will also assist us in enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and vulnerable road users,' Mvubu explained. EThekwini human settlements, engineering and transport chairperson Themba Mvubu, Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa and Santaco regional chairperson Yusuf Khaliva. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said they are concerned about the number of people dying on the roads despite the government's efforts, which saw improved law enforcement, road infrastructure and educational campaigns. Mvubu said research shows most road accidents are attributed to human actions. Therefore, campaigns should primarily aim to influence the awareness of road users. South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional chairperson Yusuf Khaliva said they might not realise the dual role of pedestrians. On the one hand, pedestrians are pedestrians, and on the other hand, they are passengers. 'If we ignore pedestrians, it means we don't pay attention to our passengers,' Khaliva said. 'Our drivers must understand that pedestrians always have the right of way. When it comes to cyclists, even though we haven't been trained yet, we wish in the next module, to those who will train us, to train us under what conditions a person has the right of way.' Nelisiwe Mkhabela of the Southern African Bus Operators Association (Saboa) said that as the voice of the bus industry and drivers of safe, reliable and sustainable bus transport, they stand united behind the call to make walking and cycling safe. 'Together we must prioritise the safety of all road users and drive the transformation towards safer streets across South Africa,' Mkhabela said. Mandla Ngobese of the Transport Education Training Authority (Teta) said they are committed to driving road safety initiatives within the transport sector. 'As Teta, we are eager to support the United Nations Global Safety Week, which is aimed at saving lives and strengthening transport networks within the transport sector,' Ngobese said.
