Caption:(left) DCSSL MEC, Macie, in discussion with PWRT MEC, Thomo, during the launch
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
Road users must obey the rules of the road as they travel across the length and breath of Mpumalanga.
This was the clarion call made by Mpumalanga MEC for DCSSL(Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison), Jackie Macie, at the Provincial Launch of the Easter Road Safety Campaign held at N4 Alkmaar in the City of Mbombela on Wednesday 16 April 2025.
This initiative, aimed at promoting road safety and reducing accidents during the Easter long weekend as high traffic volumes are expected to dominate major roads in the province, is held in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and various stakeholders such as DPWRT(Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport), SAPS(South African Police Service).
In his keynote address, MEC Macie said all four regions in Mpumalanga will experience high traffic volumes as they are interlinked to various provinces. An influx of traffic is expected in the Ehlanzeni region at the N4 towards Mozambique, as well as the N11 towards the Oshoek border due to various congregations heading to their respective pilgrimages through many parts of the province.
One such congregation is the ZCC(Zion Christian Church) which normally draws thousands of members as far as Mozambique and Eswatini, passing through Mpumalanga to attend service at Moria in Limpopo Province.
Macie said the DCSSL, DPWRT and SAPS will deploy law enforcement officials at strategic points to ensure maximum visibility on the roads. He furthermore urged municipalities to also deploy available resources in their respective jurisdictions in full support of the campaign.
“ This launch takes place 11 days before the country celebrates 31 years of freedom and democracy. It is for this reason that we should remind all road users that everyone has the right to be on the road. A failure to respect the rights of other road users is a violation of human rights and therefore unacceptable. It is our responsibility as government to ensure that everyone using our roads arrive at their destination safe and alive,” said Macie.
The MEC revealed that about 90% of deaths on the roads are as a result of negligent driving, speeding, drunk driving, and use of cellphones while driving.
He added that DCSSL is working closely with other stakeholders including the taxi industry, faith-based formations, and social groups.
According to Macie, the DCSSL is in the process of integrating the CPWs(Crime Prevention Wardens) to bolster crime-fighting efforts in the province. Macie also raised concern about the increase of fatalities amongst pedestrians, cyclists and children in recent times.
The impact of the SAPS Highway Patrol Unit was also highlighted, by Macie, as an effective measure that has significantly reduced crimes such as car hijacking on the N4 road. Macie issued a stern warning to those who are ‘plotting’ to disrupt peace and comfort in the province to refrain from such tendencies.
Mpumalanga MEC for DPWRT, Thulasizwe Thomo, said the previous Road Safety Campaign during the December festive season has yielded a significant decline in fatalities. He said the campaign on road safety should expand beyond the Easter season.
“ There was a rise of 9% in fatalities and 17% in crashes during the previous Easter season, but there was a serious decline during the Festive Season Safety Campaign. We are working towards upgrading our roads, but adverse weather conditions are affecting us. We are experiencing some rain in the parts of Gert Sibande, Nkangala, Bohlabela and Ehlanzeni, but we have dispatched teams to maintain the roads on a daily basis,” said Thomo.
In conclusion, Macie said tourists play a major role in boosting the economy of the province and it’s important to ensure that they enjoy the province peacefully. He added that police officers and traffic officials will be deployed on the roads for 24 hours, to eliminate acts of lawlessness.
“ On behalf of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and in the name of the leader of the province Mr Mandla Ndlovu who could not be with us today due to urgent responsibilities, I wish every citizen of our beautiful province a safe, secure and a blessed Easter holiday. We assure all our visitors a pleasant stay in our province,” Macie concluded.
