Transport Minister Blade Nzimande is appealing to all motorists to be vigilant when using the country’s roads during this long weekend.
Nzimande says since the beginning of this long weekend, there has been an increase in the number of people travelling to various destinations around the country.
At least eight road deaths have been reported in Gauteng alone. Nzimande’s spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi says traffic officers will be out in full force.
“Our law enforcement operations will target enforcement of legislation of wearing seatbelts, using cell phones while driving, unroadworthy vehicles, whilst they continue to clamp down on drunken driving, excessive speed and other moving violations.”
The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga has also called on motorists to be cautious on the roads as the traffic volumes are expected to increase from Monday morning.
Earlier pedestrians have been warned to avoid walking on the public roads when they are under the influence of alcohol. Six pedestrians were killed in three separate incidents in the province since the beginning of the long weekend.
Safety, Security and Liaison Spokesperson, Joseph Mabuza says it is suspected that some of the pedestrians may have consumed alcohol and jaywalked on the road.
“The first accident happened on Friday on the R40 road near Bushbuckridge in two separate crashes and yesterday (Saturday) at about 18h00 in the evening two people were killed on the R40 road between Barberton and Nelspruit, they were walking next to the road and the vehicle hit them both. The other two people were killed on the N4 near Alzu. It could be a question of people who are jaywalking on the road and the motorists who are speeding.”
