With the new year approaching and traffic volumes remaining high, authorities in uMgungundlovu have intensified road safety operations, clamping down on lawlessness and dangerous driving in a co-ordinated effort to reduce accidents and save lives. In Pietermaritzburg, Msunduzi Traffic Department officers, working alongside the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), conducted an early-morning operation on Chief Albert Luthuli Street on Tuesday. Vehicles were stopped and inspected for roadworthiness while drivers were screened for valid driving documents.
Officers also checked for outstanding traffic fines and warrants of arrest. During the operation, a taxi driver abandoned his vehicle when officers attempted to stop him, forcing authorities to impound the vehicle. The exact offence was not immediately known.
In a separate incident, another motorist attempted to flee, but was apprehended following a brief chase that ended inside nearby residential premises. Authorities said such operations are conducted daily to strengthen road safety and enforce compliance with traffic laws. Another large-scale road safety operation on the R56 in Richmond on Tuesday saw more than 20 vehicles impounded and 32 motorists taken into custody for driving under the influence.
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The operation brought together RTI officials, SAPS, private security, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), Operation Hlokomela, and traffic officers from Richmond, Mkhambathini and Harry Gwala municipalities. Richmond Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo said the joint operation aimed to reduce road accidents and ensure compliance with the law. “We decided to join our efforts to ensure that we yield a desirable impact,” Ngcongo said. Drivers transporting passengers were required to produce valid professional driving permits, while those transporting livestock had to show proper documentation.
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