Road upgrading and building police stations prioritized…

Deep rural Mpofana truck accident paves way for development

Story: Simphiwe Mkhize

The death of eight people in a police truck due to break failure must be seen as the spilling of blood of our heroes that must water the tree of development amongst the impoverished people of Ngudwini communities, said Transport, Safety & Security Minister, Mr Bheki Cele recently.

Mr Cele was speaking at a function to remember those who died in the accident after a peace meeting in February this year. The meeting was organized by the SAPS and community policing structures to stop faction fighting between two neighbouring villages – Mpofana and Uyaya in the greater Ngudwini area.

Mr Cele told the bereaved community that underdevelopment in that deep rural area was bound to be replaced by sound developmental programmes that needed to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

Making token donations as a sign of sharing the grief of the thirty families whose loved ones were killed, maimed or injured, Mr Cele stressed that upgrading the notoriously downhill un-tarred road as well as the building of a police station must happen now.

The KZN Department of Transport is committed to helping the affected families to get compensation from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

Mr Cele said: "This road is dangerous and it is obvious that on rainy days it cannot be used because of the mud. Therefore installing black top tare can only be the right thing to do."

He added: "The people here do not have access to clean water which is supposed to be their right and not a privilege. They cannot use cell phones because there is no network, they do not have a road, they have no police station, the number of children going to school is low – so there is an obvious need for schools."

The Minister assured the people that his new provincial government was in the business of reversing the legacy of apartheid which saw adequate police stations being built in traditionally white areas only, and very few for black people.

"The average distance between various police stations in Port Shepstone ranges between 9 to 20 kilometers to ensure effective policing, safety and a secured life for a small section of South African society," Mr Cele said.

He added: The previous government created a situation whereby those who had access to vehicles, good roads, telecommunication and private house security also had access to police stations. But those who did not have money, jobs, roads, also got nothing – not even a police station. Where do you run to if you are attacked at home? Who do you call for help? By the time the police arrive, the hooligans have killed you and burnt down your house."

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