North West MEC for Public Safety Howard Yawa on Saturday warned motorists who flick headlights to warn other road users ahead of roadblocks and speed operations that they are committing a serious offence that supports crime and lawlessness.
MEC Yawa says that motorists who commit the offence during zero tolerance festive season law enforcement operations will be summarily arrested for defeating the ends of justice.
“Those found in contravention will have to appear before a court of law as police and traffic officers are in terms of the law not empowered to issue fines for offences that fall within the serious offences category and or receive admissions of guilt,” emphasises Yawa.
MEC Yawa was part of a joint multipurpose roadblock that checked and screened 461 vehicles outside Potchefstroom on the N12 on Friday.
He witnessed the arrest of 25 illegal immigrants, issuing of tickets to 21 road users for driving without licenses, 22 motorists for operating unlicensed vehicles, 15 for operating vehicles without operating licenses and failing to display number plates respectively.
South African Revenue Service Customs who were part of the multi sectoral integrated team that included the South African Police Service, Provincial Public Safety Traffic, Home Affairs Immigration Unit, and Tlokwe City Council Public Safety traffic and Emergency Medical Services also checked 57 vehicles and seized fined for violation of custom regulations. Fifty two vehicles were also weighed and five fined for overloading
MEC Yawa had earlier in the week vowed that law enforcement officers will be out in full force on all roads and that such roadblocks to sustain the momentum of the onslaught against crime and lawlessness will be intensified across the province.
The roadblocks which have commenced since the beginning of this month are part of the provincial support for the Department of Transport’s National Rolling Enforcement Plan and SAPS’ When Duty Calls operations.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 381 9171
Fax: 018 381 9123
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
