Lawlessness will not be tolerated

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko today warned motorists and pedestrians that lawlessness on the province's roads during the festive season would not be tolerated.

Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless and negligent driving and unroadworthy vehicles would not be tolerated as these were some of the major causes of road fatalities on the country's roads.

Speaking at the launch of the province's festive season road safety campaign on the N14 near Diepsloot, Mazibuko warned that motorists found guilty of these crimes would be arrested on the spot.

As part of the festive season road safety campaign in the province, roadblocks would be set up at the province's major roads such as the N3, N14 and the N1 day and night.

"Those who will be going to shebeens and taverns, getting drunk and driving back to their homes at night thinking there are no traffic enforcement had better think again, they are going to be arrested," she warned.

A roadblock was held to coincide with the launch. Within two hours, more than 900 vehicles were stopped and searched and 11 of those were found to be unroadworthy and discontinued.

Gauteng Community Safety Head Mongezi Tshongweni said the campaign would continue until January. "This is to show that we are serious about stopping [road carnage] in the province."

The campaign will be carried out in partnership with the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Emergency Services from Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Mogale City, the Ekurhuleni and Tshwane Metro Police Departments.

Motorists are urged to be patient at the roadblocks and allow the law enforcement officers to carry out their duties without interferences.