Traffic cops take strain
ALREADY under-staffed and under pressure, the City of uMhlathuze traffic officers are taking major additional strain over the double burden of load-shedding and truck issues.
With a complement of only 27 members, working two shifts to cover the vast municipal area, the workload has increased to unbearable levels.
“The two shifts operate between 6am and 10pm, after which there is a team on standby,” said city communications manager Bongani Gina.
“They would generally be able to cope with normal traffic duties, but these are exceptional times such as we have never faced before.
“Load-shedding is becoming more frequent and the public rightfully expects members to be present at the main intersections to control the traffic flow, but we are just too thin on the ground to be everywhere.
“The massive influx of trucks has placed heavy demands on us, especially with afterhours emergencies and over weekends.
“Not only are there huge traffic congestion problems, but there is also a corresponding increase in the number of accidents involving trucks,” said Gina.
“This entails traffic members sometimes having to be on the scene for hours until the road is cleared, as well as having to field far more complaints from irate road users – but we understand their frustration.
“In addition, we are dealing with trucks attempting to take forbidden routes, such as trying to come through Empangeni town where there is a weight restriction for vehicles, especially since truck traffic was re-routed via Melmoth after the Pongola tragedy.
“This is just one of many hot spots, which include the port entrance and areas in Alton around the weighbridges, and the eNseleni off-ramp on the N2 to prevent access onto the R619.
“We are also monitoring and reporting illegal stockpiling to try and restrict the environmental impact.”