COPS CRACK DOWN

No more Mr Nice Guy! That seems to be the message from Howick SAPS and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), and about time, too.

With numerous unroadworthy vehicles cruising around the Midlands, drivers not bothering with seatbelts, unlicensed vehicles, drunk driving, and, of course, the brazen ignoring of red robots and stop streets, Howick is becoming like the Wild West.

Last week, not only did Umgeni Traffic Department issue fines to the value of some R20 550 at a road block, they also arrested 15 drunk drivers the following evening.

The road block set up last Thursday on Main Road just before the bridge saw more than 80 vehicles being stopped.

Drivers were fined for either having no licenses or/and unroadworthy vehicles. The road block was part of the annual Traffic Month campaign that seeks to raise awareness of the important role of transport in the economy. It was attended by Howick SAPS, Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), local security companies and ambulance services, uMngeni Municipality Mayor Sizwe Sokhela, Deputy Mayor Nompumelelo Buthelezi, Speaker Thulani Mthalane, Municipal Manager Thembeka Cibane and other councillors.

Then on Friday night, a joint operation by SAPS, uMngeni Traffic Department and local security companies saw 15 drivers nabbed for drunk driving.

Acting Howick SAPS Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kandhai has issued a strong message to the community that this is just the start of operations of this nature. “We will not tolerate drunken driving in our policing area,” he said, thanking the following for their assistance and dedication to the operation: Dr Naidoo, Dr Nwokedi, Sister Ndlovu, Mr Naiker, Miss Indrani Marie, Magma Security, KSS, SSS security RTI, uMngeni Traffic and members of the CPF.

DA Councillor Janis Holmes said: “We are very pleased that uMngeni is engaging in joint operations with Howick SAPS and RTI to curb drunken driving. Residents have been complaining of increasing lawlessness, particularly drinking and driving, and joint operations like this are needed more often. With the festive season approaching it is vital that we all work together to make our roads safe for both locals and tourists.”

A big thumbs-up from Village Talk as well!