Transport Deputy Minister Sindi Chikunga on Tuesday visited Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal to emphasise the importance of road safety.
“The Deputy Minister’s visit forms part of government’s tireless effort and focus on creating greater and much needed education and awareness on the subject of road safety,” the Department of Transport said.
This comes as motorists, pedestrians and communities at large round off the long weekend that kicked off on Freedom Day on Friday 27 April. The long weekend concludes today with Workers’ Day celebrations taking place across the country.
The Deputy Minister will lead a multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation along Babanango Road after which she will engage in a road safety education and awareness drive at the Nquthu local taxi rank.
“The Deputy Minister will engage with motorists, passengers and pedestrians at different spots, highlighting and emphasising the importance of their safety on the road as the long weekend draws to a close,” said the department on Monday.
Deputy Minister Chikunga will be joined by senior national, provincial, law enforcement and road entity officials during the visits as well as the leadership of the taxi industry in the region.
Last month, Minister Blade Nzimande released the 2018 Preliminary Easter Road Safety Campaign Report which indicated that KwaZulu-Natal had 111 fatalities this past Easter period compared to 85 in the same period last year.
The report stated that a total of 510 people lost their lives across South African roads over the 2018 Easter period. The 510 fatalities showed a 14% increase from the 449 fatalities recorded in 2017.-SAnews.gov.za
