The MEC of Police, Roads and Transport Honourable Butana Komphela marshalled his forces to mount a joint roadblock comprising Traffic Officers, SAPS and EMS at Rouxville, Xhariep.
Apparently this was an unprecedented move that saw the locals raising their eye brows and one resident in particular could not hold her curiosity and came to ask in pure Afrikaans what was happening. She quipped that it’s usually very quiet in that part of the country and when they see officers at most they are two.
The MEC assured her that the effort is to reduce the carnage on the roads drastically. Despite the massive campaign during this festive season, motorists continue to flout the rules with impunity. He indicated that he is still very shocked about the incidents of Friday, 21 December whereby nineteen people lost their lives on Free State roads. All along the MEC has assured motorists that high visibility of law enforcement shall be maintained.
“I hereby urge motorists to obey the rules of the road. We are not going to tolerate people who:
- drink and drive or walk across the roads being drunk
- exceed the speed limit
- overtake where it is dangerous to do so
- carry unlawful or illegal goods
- driving un-roadworthy vehicles or overload vehicles
- use mobile phones whilst driving”.
These were the stern words of the MEC to the curious local lady and repeated to all who cared to listen. On his way to the roadblock, the Honourable MEC had to seriously warn a taxi driver who was very reckless on the road including overtaking where the barrier line did not permit. Later on, his fully laden minibus was impounded for being on the route not indicated in the permit. Seven other minibuses were impounded for various infringements including un-roadworthiness.
A City to City Bus was impounded after it was taken to the local testing station and found to be having a lot of defects.
Officers monitoring moving violations accosted five drivers overtaking on solid barrier lines and fined them R1 000 each which according to the MEC was peanuts compared to the carnage that they were brewing by their irresponsible acts. This also goes for four motorists who exceeded the 120km/h and received fines totaling R2 200. All in all, there were 296 infringements registered valuing R88 200 out of 520 vehicles stopped and screened.
Two guys were temporarily detained for carrying freshly slaughtered meat suspected to be of two sheep. Police are still to investigate their insistence that the meat was given to them by a farm owner.
The operation was quite successful and motorists are still to experience more of the same until they adopt a positive attitude. Those travelling long distances are urged to rest periodically because fatigue is one of the greatest killers.
Enquiries;
Z. Walaza
Cell: 082 410 65160
