All eyes on roads: KZN tightens grip ahead of Easter rush

KwaZulu-Natal has ramped up its road safety efforts ahead of the Easter and Passover long weekend, deploying more than 3 483 law enforcement officers across the province. KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma announced the large-scale deployment during the launch of the province’s road safety campaign at the Umdloti Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Centre this week. The operation includes support from over 105 national traffic police officers, with authorities expected to work around the clock until early May.

“We have deployed more than 3 483 law enforcement officers and 105 national traffic police officers, who will be operating 24 hours a day, and seven days a week, until 3 May 2026,” Duma said. The campaign kicked off with inspections of public transport vehicles, where 17 buses and minibus taxis were checked. Four vehicles were impounded during the initial operations led by Operation Shanela and the Road Traffic Inspectorate.

Duma said the newly appointed Head of Department, Zibusiso Dlamini, would lead efforts to strengthen the Nenzani La Ezweni Operation across 17 provincial weighbridge sites. “The most vehicles weighed at a single weighbridge were 40 441 vehicles at the Midway weighbridge, with an average of 3 370 vehicles weighed per month. We have already impounded trucks that were overloads and those that we intercepted moving up and down with fake registration documents,” Duma said.

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The department is also exploring the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve compliance and reduce fraud. Duma said AI could automate weighing processes and introduce features such as automated number plate recognition, real-time data analytics and anomaly detection. Authorities have set a target to reduce road fatalities by 10% during the busy holiday period.

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