North West for Community Safety and Transport Management Wessels Morweng has encouraged road users, especially those using N4 that links South Africa and Botswana towards other SADC countries, to be compliant.
The MEC made the call during the Road Incident Management System Simulation Event that took place at the Skilpadhek border post near Zeerust.
According to Morweng, the aim of the simulation was to assess the state of readiness in cases of a real-life scenario and the capacity building.
“All state organs, including SANRAL, BMA, SANDF, SAPS, Traffic officials cannot do this alone. All community members and all those who occupy space in public service, must ensure its all hands-on deck.
“It must reduce incidents, and this simulation is a reminder that real life situations are on the way, and we should be thoroughly prepared for it,” said Morweng.
The N4 that stretches from Maputo in Mozambique, through three Provinces inside South Africa and goes via Botswana to Namibia is one of the busiest and economic routes that ensures that goods travel to those four countries and even further up through Zambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Morweng highlighted that the timing of the simulation comes at the critical time, as the N4 has recently experienced horrific accidents around Rustenburg, which claimed ten lives.
He urged member states to work together, to ensure that there is compliance with the regulations, not only on the N4, but on all arterial roads.
The simulation event comes at a time when the department is preparing for October Transport Month activities, when many organs of the state are preparing themselves for end of the year travels, between all neighbouring countries in the region.
The MEC called on the law enforcement agencies to be vigilant against the transgressors including those transporting illegal cargoes that include illegal cigarettes and drugs.
“We must ensure that compliance with regulations is non-negotiable and there’s zero tolerance for all indiscretions.This corridor is declared not only an important tunnel of economic activity, but criminals are using it to transport con.
“There have already been several arrests of undocumented nationals transporting illegal cargo, that include illegal cigarettes and the largest drug bust being crystal meth with a street value of more than R38 million,” explained Morweng.
He called on travellers to ensure that they keep road incidents to a minimum and comply with regulations as non-compliance won’t be tolerated.
