The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pushing for the proper resourcing of the Emthanjeni Municipal Traffic Unit following a rise in road-related crime and lawlessness in and around De Aar.
The DA will table a motion at the next council meeting calling for the proper resourcing of the Emthanjeni Traffic Unit. While the municipality will likely claim that funding constraints make this impossible, the ongoing cost of inaction is far greater, as road deaths will continue, criminals will find it easier to evade conviction and law-abiding residents will remain at risk.
Two fatal hit-and-run incidents in quick succession have exposed the severe under-capacitation of the Traffic Unit and highlighted the growing lack of enforcement and visibility on our roads.
In one incident, an adult male was allegedly struck by a speeding motorist near the local Spar and succumbed to his injuries in hospital. In the second incident, also in the vicinity of the Spar, the victim died on impact.
Heavy ore trucks also continue to move through De Aar with little regard for traffic regulations, damaging infrastructure while frequently parking partially in the street and on sidewalks. The municipality further fails to properly mark road repairs, creating further risks for road users.
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about growing disregard for the rules of the road, yet the municipality’s traffic unit remains significantly under-resourced to respond effectively.
Currently, excluding the Traffic Chief, only two traffic officers are available to police the roads in and around De Aar, despite the town being situated on a major national trucking corridor. A further three officers are stationed at the testing centre. The unit’s operational capacity is further hampered by an inadequate fleet consisting of a Mahindra vehicle and a rented Toyota bakkie, while two Nissan bakkies are only suitable for technical duties.
This creates an environment where lawlessness can flourish and offenders don’t get caught, while innocent road users suffer.
Effective traffic policing does not only ensure law and order on our roads, but it can also complement the work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) by identifying suspects, intercepting vehicles linked to criminal activity, and helping ensure that offenders are brought to justice.