5 December 2006
Motorists in Mpumalanga province have started feeling the âSivuth' Umliloâ
sting after law enforcement authorities impounded more than 170 public
transport vehicles (buses and taxis) on the province's roads. This is because
public transport has been prioritised this festive season as target by the
department in a bid to reduce carnages and fatalities on the roads.
So far, more than 180 summonses, each amounting to R1 500, has been issued
to public transport operators by departmental authorities. This has been due to
the fact that most of the vehicles stopped by our officers were found to be
unroadworthy, while some of the operators do not possess valid operating
licenses.
This happens five days after the beginning of the festive season and just on
the eve of the launch of the Arrive Alive Campaign in Mpumalanga, which will
take place at Lochiel, near the Oshoek Boarder Post on 9 December 2006.
The launch will mark the beginning of a comprehensive campaign by the
Department in a quest to ensure road users' safety on all provincial roads
during the festive season. Great emphasis will be put on traffic officer's
visibility during this time.
Prior to the launch of the Arrive Alive campaign, on 8 December 2006, MEC
Mahlalela will launch the Provincial Road Safety Strategy, which will map out
plans that will enhance road safety in Mpumalanga.
Religious leaders will join MEC Mahlalela on Sunday, 10 December 2006 for a
prayer event where God will be requested to assist in changing the behaviour of
road users in order to save lives on the roads because successful road safety
exercises all over the world have indicated that one of the most effective ways
of reducing road fatalities is to work towards changing uncompromising
attitudes and behaviours of road users through media campaigns and active and
visible traffic policing.
Among others, MEC Fish Mahlalela will be joined by departmental
stakeholders, which include the provincial taxi and bus industries,
transportation companies, religious leaders and ordinary road users.
Rebecca Malope, South Africa's gospel icon, together with Solly Moholo,
Donny and the Heavenly Heirs, Maxy K and other South African musicians will be
present to assist in spreading road safety messages during the campaign
activities.
The Department has planned a number of road safety road shows that will take
place throughout the province during the festive season Arrive Alive period.
This is where the department will ensure close contact with the majority of
road users and communities and disseminate messages relating to road
safety.
The 2006 Festive Season Arrive Alive campaign is branded with forceful
slogans âSivuth' Umliloâ and âCabulela Ekhayaâ. Sivuth' Umlilo indicates that
provincial traffic officials will not tolerate transgressors on the roads while
Cabulela Ekhaya encourages people not to drink and drive or walk.
The two slogans which have been associated with the Department - Sivuth'
Umlilo and Cabulela Ekhaya - will continue to be used as golden bullets for the
Arrive Alive campaign.
âObey the rules or face the fireâ is another theme that has been adopted and
to be used by the Department for the Arrive Alive Festive Season Campaign.
Enquiries:
Mr Vukani Mnyandu
Cell: 083 956 0700
Tel: (013) 766 6228
Mr Joseph Mabuza on
Cell: 082 678 1450
Mr David Nkambule
Cell: 083 6266 306
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
5 December 2006
