Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe would like to wish all Mpumalanga residents and all visitors a safe, secure and crime-free festive season.
Shongwe said that as per the departments and SAPS Festive Season plan, traffic officers and police will continue to be visible during this time to ensure that law and order prevails in the province.
This period is usually characterised by a high volume of traffic with vehicles travelling to and from and across the province. Rogue and barbaric elements will also take advantage of the festive season and target good citizens in order to illegally benefit from them.
“This must come to an end, our people must enjoy with their families and our visitors should be protected so that they can come back to the province to invest. Those who violate road rules and regulations will also be targeted by law enforcers.
The department will also ensure continued road safety education and visibility of tourist safety monitors at the various tourists’ attraction areas and an appeal is made to the community to also assist the police by reporting any suspicious and illegal activities,” said Shongwe.
Shongwe has urged the communities to enjoy responsibly because drunk driving will under no circumstances be tolerated and those found driving under the influence of alcohol will face the consequences because the police together with the traffic officers will be in full force during this time of the year to enforce the law.
Shongwe added that the department together with SAPS will continue with the Overall Friday Campaign of the department which includes raiding of liquor trading outlets to ensure continued compliance with the conditions of their trading licenses because contact crime usually happens when people leave these establishments.
“We have noted that accidents have increased in the 2011/2012 statistics compared to the previous ones, we remain committed in decreasing accidents this festive season by 5 percent and we will not rest to ensure that the target is met,” emphasised Shongwe.
Motorists, passengers and pedestrians can also assist government to meet this target by adhering to the following:
- Don’t drink and drive
- Remember speed kills
- Don’t use cell phones while driving
- Don’t overload
- Ensure the road worthiness of your vehicle before undertaking a trip
- When taking a long trip, rest after every two hours
- Be visible when walking at night and switch on your head light
- Don’t bribe traffic officers
“Together, let’s fight crime and road carnage”.
For more information contact:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 4055
