Mkhuleko Hlengwa
Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa says the department aims to “speed up the resolution of all issues” that have delayed the implementation of visible traffic policing on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week and 365-days-a-year basis across the country, especially in highly accident-prone zones on South Africa’s road network.
Speaking during the tabling of the Department of Transport’s (DoT’s) budget on Monday, Hlengwa noted that the Western Cape and National Traffic Police remained the only traffic authorities in the country that implemented a 24/7 shift system.
“It is crucial that all provinces fast-track their processes to obtain approval for the implementation of the shift system to ensure visibility of officers on the road daily and at all hours.
“The DoT will monitor and ensure the introduction of the new shift system by the 31 March 2025, and continue to recruit and train personnel [to achieve this].
Hlengwa also noted that about 10% of the vehicles registered in South Africa were not roadworthy, and that the average age of these vehicles was 11 years, which contributed to the increased potential for crashes and fatalities.
“Furthermore, it has been estimated that around 40% of the vehicles on our roads are not insured.”
Thirty-four people are killed on South Africa’s roads every day and 157 people seriously injured.