 
MEDIA STATEMENT
MPIMPA HOTLINE PROVES TO BE HIGHLY SUCCESSFULWith only a few months gone since its official launch, the Mpimpa Hotline launched by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele in April this year has already proved to be highly successful. As at the end of June more than 600 calls were received from road users complaining of various traffic violations. Information about criminal activities such as stolen vehicles, abuse of government vehicles, corruption and so on was also received as well as reports of road crashes and other incidents and hazards. The high number of calls we receive has shown how many people in this province are committed to road safety. Although the callers are entitled to remain anonymous, about 90% of them choose to give their names. Most of them said they were even willing to give evidence in court if they were required to do so. The response of the alleged offenders has also been positive in many cases. Quite a lot of the offenders have actually phoned to apologise and admit that they were in the wrong. Many vehicle fleet owners have also contacted us to let us know that their drivers have been disciplined as a result of these reports. We have also had taxi owners call us to say that they have disciplined their drivers. When a member of public reports an incident to the Mpimpa Hotline, the owner of the vehicle is traced through the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS). A letter is then sent out to the owner informing him or her that their vehicle was reported to be used in the commission of an alleged offence and this incident will be placed on record and should further offences be committed, appropriate action will be taken. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed and only designated officials who are sworn to secrecy have access to the information. However, some people have tried to abuse the system by maliciously reporting people they dislike or may have had problems with, but we have ways and means of screening each call and do try to eliminate these kinds of reports. With Mpimpa, the ordinary road user is now empowered to do something and help reduce the rate of crashes on our roads. Those who misbehave must know that someone is watching and will report you, because all law abiding road users are sick and tired of the carnage on our roads. So use the Mpimpa Hotline 086 221 1010 any time of night or day - your voice can save lives.
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