Minister Mitchell wishes travellers a safe long weekend and condemns bus burnings

Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

I appeal to those who will be traveling during this long weekend to ensure their vehicles are in good condition and are roadworthy.

Our 365-day approach towards road safety will be heightened through well-structured and integrated operations throughout the Province, not only limited to the Human Rights long weekend.

Drunk driving remains a huge concern and the Provincial Traffic Services are working around the clock to combat lawlessness on the road.  Our officers will be deployed in strategic locations to strengthen our efforts to curb drunk driving.

 I have to caution all road users to be extra vigilant as Provincial Traffic Officers will be selflessly serving you this weekend to make sure that all road users practise good driver behaviour, comply with the rules of the road, stay within the legal speed limits and observe adequate rest periods during travel in order to avoid fatigue.

I will also join Provincial Traffic Officers during some of the provincial integrated roadblocks over the weekend.

Bus attacks

I strongly condemn the criminal acts of vandalism and intimidation on the part of taxi industry operators and drivers in the Nyanga area.

Over the course of the last few days, reports have been received of Golden Arrow buses being set alight by irate taxi drivers. A Municipal truck and an Eskom vehicle were also torched during the protest action that is linked to a law enforcement operation in the area.

The safety of commuters and citizens will not be compromised. The Western Cape Government will use all available regulatory measures and powers at its disposal to take strong action against those operators, drivers and associations who make themselves guilty of public violence, arson, intimidation, extortion or any other criminal acts that impact on the safety and dignity of public transport users and citizens.

My  Department and I remain committed to transforming and formalizing the minibus taxi industry for the benefit of those legal and law-abiding minibus taxi operators, drivers and employees who are committed to providing a safe and dignified public transport service to commuters.

I call on the South African Police Services to ensure that these criminals are brought to book.

Media Queries:

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za