B Cele: Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) charge day

20 October 2006

* The primary role of the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) is:
saving lives on our roads by reducing road crashes through the effective
implementation of our 100% compliance policy.

* It is well known that thousands of people die on our roads each year.

* According to the national Road Safety Strategy, 2006 and onwards, which
was adopted by our national Cabinet last week, the cost of road crashes in
South Africa during 2005 was approximately R40 billion.

* It is therefore crucial that South Africa takes drastic steps to improve
road safety.

* In order to combat the daily carnage on our roads, we need to effectively
enforce the law and ensure that those who commit any road traffic offence are
dealt with accordingly.

* Effective traffic law enforcement will no doubt provide the all important
backbone for a safe, reliable, effective and efficient transport system.

* Much more goal-directed enforcement must be conducted at high accident
frequency locations in order to improve control of driver and vehicle
fitness.

* Policing of critical moving offences that lead to fatal accidents, such as
illegal and unsafe overtaking, speeding as well as drunk driving must be more
regularly undertaken at times and places where it will have the principal
impact.

* Over the past two years, we have made significant gains with regards to
traffic law enforcement. These include:

* Over the past few months attention has been given to the setting up of the
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) which began operating during
September 2005.

The RTMC is responsible for traffic co-ordination, managing the national
traffic information system and traffic training and education.

As from January 2007, training for traffic officers will be done in terms of
the SAQA registered qualification, and the duration of the basic Traffic
Officers Course will be extended from the current six to approximately 12
months. The exact duration of this course will only be known after the training
of the first students on this new qualification.

The following entry requirements will apply before a person will be allowed
to enrol for the above course:

* Matric/grade 12 certificate or equivalent
* Code B driving licence (manual transmission)
* Recognition of prior learning (RPL) certificate on the fundamentals for the
above qualification
* No criminal record
* Medical certificate as proof that a person may do strenuous exercise
* Private people may be allowed on the course; however preference will be given
to people who are already employed by local and provincial authorities
* Applicants may not be older than 40 years of age.

On Monday this week the national Minister of Transport Mr Jeff Radebe
officially launched the new South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
accredited incident management system (IMS) certificate course which will now
also be an examinable module as part of the Traffic Officer's Diploma
course.

The Special Investigative Unit has made considerable progress with their
investigation into fraud, corruption and the illegal issuing of driving
licences, as well as relevant prosecutions.

In Operation Juggernaut, over a million heavy and passenger vehicles were
screened during 2004 and 2005. Inspections of Driving Licence Testing Centres
and Vehicle Testing Stations, in collaboration with the South African Bureau of
Standards (SABS), have been conducted.

* On the other hand, fraud and corruption in the law enforcement fraternity
is a cause for concern. As government, we will continue to work vigorously to
put an end to corruption.

* Let me remind you that the law enforcement fraternity has no place for
corrupt officials; so stay away from any form of temptation to be involved in
any act of bribery and corruption. Rest assured, you will be caught and you
will face the full might of the law.

* Other important issues that need to be addressed include overtime, all
uniformed staff being redeployed to the roads as well as morale and
teamwork.

* In this regard, vacation leave for all RTI officers during the forthcoming
December holiday period will be drastically curtailed.

* In conclusion, October has been declared national Transport Month.

* The Transport Month Campaign is a government initiative geared towards
strengthening the link between awareness-raising and policy measures to reduce
traffic congestion by particularly promoting the use of public transport.

* This year's theme is: Transport the heartbeat of South Africa's
economy.

* Finally, I would like to reiterate that enforcement needs to be
intensified significantly so that all motorists are fully aware that they have
no chance of escaping the consequences of unlawful behaviour on our roads.

* There is no room for aimless road patrols and sightseeing whilst on duty;
that's for holidaymakers and tourists.

* As of today, 100% compliance must be implemented 100%.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
20 October 2006