Latest news with #KZNDepartmentofTransport
IOL News
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Authorities investigating tragic KZN crash, death toll revised to 8
The H1 bakkie which was involved in the crash. | KZN Department of Transport Image: KZN Department of Transport The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the police are investigating the cause of a crash in which eight people, mostly mothers, tragically lost their lives in the early hours of Sunday morning along the N2 near the Mtunzini Toll Plaza. According to KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, the collision occurred at around 6:47am and involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-1 vehicle transporting members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). While Duma initially gave the death toll as nine, authorities later confirmed that one of the bodies had been mistakenly counted twice and the correct death toll was eight. The victims were part of a group of 24 congregants travelling to Dukuduku in Mtubatuba, in northern KZN when tragedy struck. Duma said that the tow truck struck the rear of the Hyundai H-1, resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. 'Those who were injured have been taken to hospitals and we wish them a speedy recovery. Equally, we express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the Church,' he said. The National Department of Transport also expressed its condolences. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa said they were 'deeply concerned and saddened by the loss of eight lives in a tragic road crash that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning on the N2 near Empangeni.' 'Preliminary reports indicate that the Hyundai H-1 was transporting members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) from their place of worship to the Dukuduku/Mtubatuba area when it was struck from behind by the truck,' they said. 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 ✕
IOL News
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
KZN transport department allocates R216 million for pothole repairs
Siboniso Duma, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, during the 'War on Potholes' campaign. RATEPAYER associations in eThekwini have welcomed a R216 million allocation for pothole repairs but stressed the need for community engagement and sustainable solutions to ensure road safety. The allocation of R216 584 440.26 was announced during the KZN Department of Transport's 2025 budget speech on Friday. In addition, the department launched its 'War on Potholes' campaign in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlement in KZN, said the budget would be used towards blacktop patching in the current financial year. He said in the 2023/2024 financial year the department had procured 55 trucks at a cost of R103 million to tackle the backlog of 3.12 million square meters of potholes. 'We intend to procure a further 25 trucks to reinforce our efforts to eradicate potholes on our network. The department has also appointed more than 100 road worker aides and foremen to be on the frontlines in our fight against potholes. We will also contract service providers to assist in this cause.' Duma said they had previously tasked the regions with this work. 'It is now being elevated to head office level and will be funded and executed through the rehabilitation and reseal programmes panel of pothole patching service providers. 'We are in the process of appointing a specialist automated road rehabilitation and pothole patching service provider to deliver a speedy means of pothole patching at strategic areas of our province. This exercise will contribute greatly towards the capacitation and development of small contractors and employment of targeted labour,' he said. The POST recently spoke to various ratepayers, residents and civic associations in eThekwini, who raised their concerns about the compromised safety of motorists and costly damages caused to vehicles due to potholes. They said residents were forking out tens of thousands of rands for burst tyres, bent rims and suspension damage. In addition, they raised concerns about poor workmanship which resulted in the potholes recurring.
IOL News
27-04-2025
- IOL News
KZN's call for stricter penalties against drunk driving sparks debate
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has proposed a six-year imprisonment for drunken driving to curb the scourge. Image: KZN Department of Transport KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlement Siboniso Duma's call for a six-year jail sentence for drinking and driving has been met with mixed reactions. Duma said the fine of between R2,000 and R120,000 is not enough to deter drunk driving. 'We must aim for a prison sentence in order to end this scourge,' he said. Duma argues that South Africa has the highest number of alcohol-related road traffic deaths at 57.5%. 'We have orphans, widows, and families that have been destroyed as a result of one drunkard. We don't want KZN to contribute to the national figure of fatalities as a result of one drunk person,' Duma said. He added that law enforcement officers are mandated to arrest motorists who drive while they are drunk and send them to jail. 'We will work with the National Prosecuting Authority in order to ensure a successful prosecution and conviction of a prison sentence of six years. The fine of between R2000 and R120,000 is not enough. We must aim for a prison sentence in order to end this scourge,' Duma said. He added that they have ongoing discussions on many matters with magistrates and prosecutors, including on Ummemezi Wezimoto Anti Crime Software. 'With a six-year sentence, we will be engaging more, including civil society. We believe that this is a societal issue that must be addressed by all. Religious leaders have supported our Road Safety Prayer when we engaged them during the Inter-Faith Prayer held in Mandeni. We will be engaging with the liquor industry and many other key stakeholders,' Duma said. Eleanor Mavimbela, spokesperson for the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), said the AA acknowledges MEC Duma's commitment to enhancing road safety by proposing stricter penalties for drunk driving. 'We recognise the intent to deter such behaviour. The effectiveness of the proposed sentence should be carefully evaluated in the context of the intended outcome, existing laws and enforcement capacity. It's crucial to ensure that any legislative changes are not drafted in isolation and fully account for the desired deterrent effect,' Mavimbela said. She added that while harsher penalties can serve as a deterrent, their success largely depends on consistent and effective enforcement. 'Without a robust system to ensure that offenders are apprehended and prosecuted, the threat of severe punishment may not significantly impact driver behaviour. A greater impact is achieved when penalties are combined with consistent enforcement, public education, and proactive policing. Therefore, while the AA supports strong consequences for drunk driving, we advocate for a balanced and evidence-based approach,' she explained. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ National Road Traffic Amendment Act 8 of 2024, which was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2024, allows for fines ranging from R2,000 to R120,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to six years for drunk driving. In South Africa, motorists are permitted to drive with a blood alcohol level not exceeding 0.05g per 100ml of blood, with a lower limit of 0.02g for professional drivers. The proposal to criminalise driving with any trace of alcohol was rejected by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport. In a recent statement, DA KwaZulu-Natal Spokesperson on Transport, Riona Gokool, welcomed Duma's announcement that his department will clamp down hard on drunk drivers. 'Driving under the influence is not a mistake—it is a choice. And it is a choice that puts lives at risk. This new measure is not about punishment – it is about prevention and protection. We urge drivers to make responsible decisions behind the wheel. 'It is the government's responsibility to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone. This means holding individuals accountable for their actions and implementing laws that act as effective deterrents. Stricter penalties, increased enforcement, and enhanced education efforts are necessary steps in reducing these tragic incidents,' Gokool said. Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said, 'At the moment, NPA is not considering such a mandatory sentence although the concerns raised by the MEC are noted.' Kgalalelo Masibi, spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, said the Department has not been approached with the MEC's full proposal or the legal rationale underpinning it. 'Any proposal of this nature would require thorough legal consideration and must be brought to our attention through the appropriate legislative or intergovernmental platforms. 'The imposition of mandatory custodial sentences, without the option of a fine, may result in increased pressure on the justice system. This includes longer court processes as cases may be less likely to settle without trial, thereby increasing court rolls. Additionally, correctional services could face a heightened burden due to the potential rise in the number of individuals serving longer custodial sentences,' Masibi said. She added that the Department currently does not have data to support the effectiveness of a six-year minimum sentence in deterring drinking and driving compared to the existing sentencing framework. 'One of the key criticisms of mandatory minimum sentencing is its potential to limit judicial independence. Our legal framework recognises the importance of judicial officers exercising discretion to account for the unique facts and circumstances of each case. Where minimum sentences are prescribed in law, judicial officers may still consider whether compelling circumstances exist to justify a deviation from such sentences. 'The severity and consequences of drinking and driving offences can vary widely. A mandatory sentence that does not allow for case-by-case assessment may lead to outcomes that do not reflect the nature or seriousness of each individual offence. It remains important that courts weigh the evidence and circumstances presented before passing a sentence,' Masibi concluded.
