Road crashes continue to claim lives of many people and cost the economy billions of rands annually.
These crashes also leave many families devastated and most of these crashes are, however, avoidable. They are largely due to human error and general disregard for the rules of the road by road users. This therefore requires stricter law enforcement by traffic and police officers. The officers should never be part of breaking the law by, among others, accepting bribes from motorists. The law enforcers must issue traffic offenders with summonses or arrest them.
This is according to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Ms Gabisile Shabalala following the arrest of six law enforcement officers yesterday, 21 June 2019. The six include two SAPS members and four traffic officers that were nabbed by members of the Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, HAWKS, in the province. Three of the suspects have appeared in Komatipoort Magistrate Court yesterday and their cases were postponed to 12 July 2019. They were each granted R1000 bail.
Three more suspects are due to appear in Belfast and Middelburg magistrate courts on Monday, 24 June 2019. It is alleged that in April this year the suspects solicited bribes from the motorists along the N4 toll road between Komatipoort and Middelburg. MEC Shabalala says she is saddened because law enforcement officers should be at the forefront of the war against crashes and corruption on the roads.
She, however, believes that these arrests will send strong messages that any corruption within law enforcement will be rooted out because it was impacting negatively on government's road safety efforts. She also encouraged other hard working law enforcement officers to continue working hard for the safety of communities.
"We know that there are many honest and dedicated traffic and police officers," said the MEC. "We are therefore calling on them not to be discouraged by the few corrupt individuals. They should continue to do their work with great diligence so that road crashes are drastically reduced." "Motorists should also stop bribing law enforcement officers. They must obey the rules and report any officials who demand bribes from them," Shabalala added.
She has further appealed to members of the public to report any corrupt activities so that appropriate steps are taken against any persons who are involved.
The MEC has meanwhile welcomed the arrests and the efforts by the HAWKS to reign in on fraud and corruption especially in the law enforcement fraternity.
Ends.
Issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Media enquiries: Moeti Mmusi
Contacts: 084 411 3372