KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, commended the department's Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers for work well done on suspending 68 heavies at its Mkhondeni Traffic office.
Mchunu announced this after receiving reports of the operation that the RTI station undertook from the 2nd of June to today, 9 June. During that period a total of 105 heavies were stopped and tested and 68 were suspended for various defects. Most of the trucks that were suspended were from countries such as Congo, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia just to mention a few.
These trucks had an array of offenses which ranged from over loading, defective breaks, worn out tyres, oil leaks, and problems with suspension. Their permits and operating discs were confiscated by the cross-border agency. One truck is believed to have been carrying a hazardous chemical without a Hazchem certificate, which could have led to environmental havoc had there been a spill.
Mchunu reiterated the commitment he made of ensuring that unroadworthy heavies be taken off the road following the gruesome accident involving a truck on Field's Hill, which killed 24 people last year.
Media contacts:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462/ 079 699 5755
E-mail: Kwanele.Ncalane@Kzntransport.gov.za
Nathi Sukazi
Cell: 081 018 0518/ 082 565 0205
E-mail: Nathi.Sukazi@Kzntransport.gov.za
