The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr. Mxolisi Kaunda, will launch the Easter safety campaign with the slogan of “closing the ranks”, which intensifies proactive and weekend-long multi-disciplinary law enforcement roadblocks and roadworthiness inspections at bus depots as well as taxi ranks.
Launching the campaign ahead of the busy Easter weekend, Kaunda will lead a team of district and local municipalities’ mayors, industry stakeholders, law enforcement personnel and the interfaith in massive roadworthiness and safety inspections.
On Friday (7 April 2017) morning, the day will begin with visits to bus depots in Richards Bay, particularly in two major bus operators, iKhwezi and Sihlangene. The inspection will involve checking brake systems and the general road worthiness of the buses as some of them will be contracted to transport congregants for the Easter church services.
This will be followed by a multi-disciplinary road block on the N2, eSikhaleni/ KwaDlangezwa turn-off, which has experienced fatal road crashes in the past.
The operation will also be aimed at intensifying the campaign against vehicle theft, including government fleet, which has been stolen and taken across the Mozambique border.
As part of tackling both safety on the road and in communities, MEC Kaunda will also conduct an unannounced visit to a police station in and around KwaDlangezwa following community complaints on its functioning. This will be coupled with shutting down of a local, illegal tavern to as part of the government’s clampdown on illegal trading of liquor and other substances.
Details of the Programme are as follows:
Thursday (06/04/17)
• MEC Kaunda and mayors will conduct service delivery assessment/ Operation Siyahlola on main road P700, which is linking eMpangeni and uLundi;
• At 20h00, MEC Kaunda will participate in a roadblock on the road leading to Ngwelezane township;
Friday (07/04/17) – Main launch
• @07h00 – MEC Kaunda and mayors launch the inspection of buses at IKhwezi and Sihlangene bus deports;
• @09h00 – MEC Kaunda will participate in the Multi-disciplinary roadblock on the N2 eSikhaleni/ KwaDlangezwa off ramp;
• @11h30 will conduct an unannounced visit to KwaDlangezwa satellite police station and participate in the closure of an illegal tavern;
• @12h30 MEC Kaunda will engage with commuters and drivers and eMpangeni taxi rank;
Members of the media are invited to cover all the activities.