President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to travellers to exercise caution on the country’s roads, and have a happy, safe, and reflective Easter period.
He also offered his best wishes for the Easter break to South Africa’s diverse Christian denominations as well as other groupings whom this time will purely be a period of rest and social connection.
“Easter is a special period for devoted Christians to celebrate their faith and the triumph of life over death, and it is an opportunity for South Africans of all backgrounds to enjoy rest and reconnection with family and friends,” said Ramaphosa.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa urged citizens to take care of themselves and others on the roads and in social situations.
“As we move around our beautiful country, let us reduce speed, buckle up, rest up and leave our phones alone while we’re driving.
Let’s make sure vehicles are well maintained and that we avoid the need to rush by leaving home or our workplaces early enough.
This will allow us to be patient with other road users and to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes.
This should also be a period of care and peace in our homes and communities.
May this be a time of celebration and rejuvenation for the year ahead,” remarked the president.
Meanwhile, several provinces have started to record an increase of traffic volumes by midday, as holidaymakers head to different destinations.
In the North West, Premier Lazarus Mokgosi wished all Christian-faith based organizations a safe and peaceful Easter weekend filled with spiritual rejuvenation.
In addition, Mokgosi said the participation of faith-based organizations in community driven development issues is needed more than ever.
“Through liberation theology leaders of faith-based organizations were instrumental in raising the alarm on atrocities which were meted on our people by Apartheid.
While we have made progress in addressing this legacy, the next thirty years requires all of us to work together and faith-based organizations to work hand in glove with the government to find permanent solutions to a number of challenges afflicting our communities,” remarked Mokgosi.
In Gauteng, traffic authorities warned that municipal law enforcement agencies, and private security companies will be monitoring all major routes and crime hotspot areas.
“Law enforcement agencies will conduct heightened law enforcement operations across the province to ensure the safety of the public and to prevent the loss of life.
Traffic officers will employ road safety interventions to address over speeding, drinking, and driving, reckless and negligent driving, jaywalking, compliance and to encourage overall road safety during the Easter period,” said the Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, Sello Maremane.
High traffic volumes are expected in Limpopo, as members of the Zion Christian Church will return to Moria, after a five-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Motorists are advised to exercise caution on the following key roads, which are expected to experience increased traffic volumes: the N1, N11, R101, R81, R71, R579, R37, R36, R40, R528, R574, R516, R521, D4040, D19, D4, R524, and R523.
Be prepared for heavy and slow-moving traffic on some of these roads,” said the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, Tidimalo Chuene.
