The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda announced that the Department of Transport has seen a decrease of 1,2% in road fatalities between February and June this year. He also set a target of 5% by the start of the festive season. Kaunda was speaking earlier today at People’s park in Durban during the Provincial launch of October Transport Month.
The campaign started 13 years ago to showcase transport infrastructure government has delivered and the opportunities that have been created to empower emerging contractors as well as to raise awareness about road safety. During this month, government also aims to promote peace and stability in the public transport industry.
The launch started with a pre-dawn raid in Mahatma Ghandi (Point Road) road, searching buildings with illegal tenants, drugs and undocumented foreign nationals. “We were informed that these buildings harbor criminals who are involved in a number of criminal activities including dealing in drugs. Working together with the municipality, we will clean up these buildings to ensure that they are safe, said Kaunda.
The MEC then proceeded to an integrated road block on Margaret Mncadi where SAPS, Metro Police and RTI where present conducted a law enforcement operation. 217 vehicles were stopped, 12 peopled were charged various traffic offences and three warrants of arrests were issued. Another road block on the M4 was conducted where 10 minibuses and two buses were suspended.
“As government we shall intensify our law enforcement operations for the month of October and beyond to ensure that we save lives,” added Kaunda.
Part of today’s launch also included the opening of a local taxi rank Offices in the CBD, which will service five taxi associations. “This R1.4 million facility is the first of its kind and similar facilities will be rolled out in the city. With this facility, we want to encourage taxi operators to resolve their issues in the boardroom amicably,” concluded Kaunda.