Gauteng will deploy an additional 1 266 police personnel and 859 high performance vehicles which have been fitted with the latest technology such as trackers and registration number plate recognition - to improve police response and visibility during this Easter weekend.
The Gauteng Law Enforcement Agencies have developed an integrated law enforcement plan that aims to contribute to the reduction of both road traffic fatalities and crime in general during the Easter long weekend.
Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane accompanied by senior officials from the law enforcement agencies, will lead a series of heightened law enforcement activities which will be carried at identified freeways and hotspots across the province to deal with lawlessness.
“We will further complement enforcement initiatives this Easter season by deploying community patrollers at identified public transport hubs to provide help and support to the general travelling public. We have in recent times experienced serious forms of dangerous driving such as reckless and negligent driving, disregard to traffic signals and passengers overloading due to the rush to make a profit especially during the Easter season,” Nkosi-Malobane said on Wednesday.
Easter weekend is usually characterized by high traffic volumes to various pilgrimage, holiday destinations and the MEC will use the platform to interact with drivers and commuters on crime and road safety issues ahead of the Easter season.
In 2017, the long weekend saw Gauteng record a 57% increase in road fatalities with 38 people losing their lives.
MEC Nkosi-Malobane said what is of concern is that pedestrians made up a high number of these fatalities.
While the focus is on road safety, the MEC said we cannot disregard criminal elements that continue to rise during this season.
Some of the crime increases can be attributed to the abuse of alcohol and drugs.
“I am confident that our law enforcement officers will work tirelessly to reduce road fatalities and combat crime. I call upon the law enforcement authorities to act decisively in dealing with drivers who do not comply with the rules of the road and appeal to road users to be vigilant, patient and to adhere to the rules of the road to save the lives of passengers,” Nkosi-Malobane added. – SAnews.gov.za
