Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele is confident that the new National Traffic Law Enforcement Plan, being unveiled at the Traffic Chiefs’ Summit at Boksburg in Gauteng tomorrow, 10 September 2010, will go a long way towards reducing the carnage on South Africa’s roads.
Minister Ndebele’s comments follow reports of 21 people killed yesterday, 8 September 2010 alone in three separate mini-bus taxi road crashes. Yesterday, 8 September 2010 evening, the South African Police reported nine commuters killed and two others seriously injured in a road crash between a mini-bus taxi and a truck on the R716 near Heilbron in the Free State.
Also yesterday, 8 September 2010, six people were reported killed and eight others injured in a road crash involving a mini-bus taxi in Mahlabathini, outside Ulundi, in KwaZulu-Natal. In another mini-bus taxi crash yesterday, 8 September 2010, on the N14 near Diepsloot in Johannesburg, six people were reported killed.
“We want to convey our condolences to the families and friends of all those killed in these road crashes. We also wish the injured a speedy recovery. The pain and agony felt by these families is also our pain. Our prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones on the roads. Road deaths can be prevented.
“We are confident that the new National Traffic Law Enforcement Plan will go a long way towards reducing the carnage on our roads. In terms of the new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), traffic law enforcement agencies will stop and check no less than one million vehicles and drivers every month across South Africa. Also, specific dates and times have been allocated for intensified public transport law enforcement operations, targeting mini-bus taxis. Effective and efficient implementation of the new NREP is of critical importance. To this end, we will be meeting with Traffic Chiefs’ from various parts of South Africa tomorrow, 10 September 2010. Millions of people who use our roads everyday deserve safer roads,” said Minister Ndebele.
Meanwhile, Minister Ndebele has also welcomed the newly-established taxi violence special courts which commenced operation in KwaZulu-Natal today Thursday, 9 September 2010. “We welcome these taxi violence special courts that have been set up in KwaZulu-Natal. We would like to see similar initiatives in other provinces,” Minister Ndebele said.
All media are invited to attend the Traffic Chiefs’ Summit tomorrow, 10 September 2010 commencing at 09h00 for 09h30 at the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, Gauteng.
Journalists attending must confirm attendance by no later than 14h00 today Thursday, 9 September 2010, with Sello Tshipi on 073 498 6722 / TshipiA@dot.gov.za or Mthunzi Mbungwa on 072 645 1792/ MbungwaM@dot.gov.za.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
