MEDIA STATEMENT

KZN EASTER ROAD AND TRAFFIC UPDATE

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele has congratulated road users for their improved road behaviour over the last few days which has resulted in no major road incidents in the province.

"Considering the fact that over 70 000 vehicles entered our province in the past two days it is a remarkable achievement that no major incidents occurred. This can be attributed to increased law enforcement and visibility throughout KZN. During the next few days we also want road users to exercise extreme caution. Our enforcement operations will be stepped up and the frequency of our roadblocks will be increased. Since 8 April more than 200 cases were handled by the road side court at Cato Ridge alone. Our officers will continue with the same zeal and enthusiasm throughout this period and beyond," Ndebele said.

However, despite increased enforcement in KwaZulu-Natal, it seems that certain motorists are still hell-bent on breaking the law. To this end, since 26 March 2004 motorists have been charged for 6 633 various traffic offences. In addition, 206 motorists were arrested for various serious offences such as drunk driving and speed.

All four road side courts at Park Rynie, Umdhloti, Cato Ridge and Bergville will in operation throughout the Easter weekend and this has ensured that motorists who break the law are speedily dealt with. The following offenders have already felt the sting of our road side courts.

• Shivaan Chutergoon (26 years) was charged R16 000 for speeding at 177 kilometres per hour in a 120 zone. Further, he failed to stop upon instruction of a traffic officer and was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition to the monetary fine imposed, Magistrate Linus Phoswa at the Cato Ridge road side court suspended Chutergoon’s licence for three years.

• Magistrate van Aarde at the Park Rynie road side court handed hefty fines of R15 000 each to Phillip Majali from Sandton driving a Chrysler station wagon and travelling at 190 kilometres per hour in a 120 zone and to Emile Sandenberg from Roodepoort, riding a Suzuki 1100 motorcycle and travelling at 192 kilometres per hour in a 120 zone. This speed of 192 kilometres per hour is the highest speed recorded since the start of the Easter Holidays.

• Charles Ndlovu from Lamontville driving a minibus taxi, whilst fully laden with passengers was fined R8 000 at the Park Rynie road side court for travelling at a speed of 146 kilometres per hour instead of the prescribed 100 kilometres per hour.

Ndebele also commended law enforcement officers for their tireless efforts in trying to ensure that fewer lives are lost on the province's roads this holiday season.

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