Addressing transport problems

Kwazulu-natal has officially launched October Transport Month with Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Mxolisi Kaunda, outlining a wide range of activities to be undertaken, focusing on road safety, infrastructure development and radical socio-economic transformation.

This year’s launch took place in eThekwini and featured a multi-disciplinary roadblock along Victoria Embankment, a visit to the newly revamped Chesterville taxi rank and the new taxi association’s offices, and the handover of an additional fleet with advanced equipment that will be used by RTI and Metro Police to deal with offenders on the province’s roads.

Kaunda was joined by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the Mayor of eThekwini, Zandile Gumede, mayors from other districts, Amakhosi, members of the Transport and Community Safety Portfolio committees, SANTACO, Interfaith and other stakeholders within the transport sector.

In his address, MEC Kaunda said: ‘We are launching our official October Transport Month programme which entails a series of activities aimed at showcasing the progress we have made as a provincial government in relation to infrastructure development, addressing public transport challenges faced by communities, law enforcement and road safety.

‘Earlier this morning we staged a multi-disciplinary roadblock as part of an integrated law enforcement programme in which all law enforcement agencies are participating fully to assist us in the fight against road carnages.

‘We have managed to achieve a decline of 1.2 percent in this regard during the period February to June this year.

‘We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we do more.

‘Our roadblocks are not necessarily punitive in nature. We also educate people to be responsible road users.’