840 people have been killed on the country’s roads since the beginning of the month. The Transport Department says more than 2 800 drivers have been arrested for drunk driving and speeding.
The high road death toll figure is raising fears it could exceed last year’s figure of 1 300 fatalities.
Meanwhile, the North-West Safety Department has defended its decision to conduct road traffic operations nicknamed JAWS. The North-West Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says such an operation is illegal.
Their offices has been inundated with complaints from members of the public about the random operations. Now, the NPA wants the operation reviewed. Safety MEC Howard says the operations help with the recovery of outstanding fines.
“We pay them according to what they have done — so I would not like to use this because the people will say I am now bringing socialist or communist ideology — each one according to his ability – the more they contribute, we make them happy, so they contribute more”.