KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma. Picture: KZN Department of Transport
Durban — KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma says plans are afoot to halt the carnage on SA’s roads as the festive season approaches.
Duma was giving a report on road safety on Monday following the Umkhosi Womhlanga, which attracted more than 40 000 people to Nongoma. He said it was “a historic road-accident-free Reed Dance”.
“More than 40 000 maidens arrived safely in eNyokeni Royal Palace on Friday and Saturday. And they departed from eNyokeni on Saturday and Sunday. Our team monitored their movements on all routes until they all arrived safely at their respective destinations.
“Importantly, our decision to remove 31 buses that we found unroadworthy was the step in the right direction,” Duma said.
He said their priority was to save innocent lives and avoid any road carnage during the 40th anniversary of the Reed Dance.
“We pay tribute to our team of experienced and qualified examiners of motor vehicles (who used) cutting-edge technology to inspect more than 177 buses and over 31 taxis.”
He said that they strictly adhered to the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) applicable standards – SANS 10047 – for the testing of vehicles’ roadworthiness.
“We thank His Majesty and the entire Zulu Royal family for their guidance and support as we improve the public transport system in the province.
“We salute bus and taxi drivers for adhering to the rules of the road,” Duma said.
He thanked the Road Traffic Inspectorate team, and the law-enforcement agencies from all municipalities and said that the co-operation from the SA Road Freight Association and associations representing truck drivers is a formula “we” need to sustain.
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