By Kopano Dibakwane
A road safety operation was conducted by Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, alongside SAPS provincial commissioner, lieutenant-general Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, on the N4(Karino).
According to the premier, the entire province of Mpumalanga, including district and local municipalities, will ensure sufficient visibility of law enforcement officials, in order to curb lawlessness and encourage road users to follow the rules during the long Easter weekend.
” Drivers must obey the rules of the road and make sure that they don’t engage in untoward behaviour. We’ve stopped a number of cars, some drivers engage in alcohol while in transit, some don’t have public permits. We will not spare anyone from this operation, we’re ready to arrest if there’s a need for that,” said Mthsweni-Tsipane.
Manamela said that the main aim of the operation is to ensure that road users arrive safely at their respective destinations.
” There are several members who have been deployed at the borders, with sister departments such as SANDF(South African National Defence Force), traffic department and customs. We have a system to ensure that every passenger or person passing (through) the border is screened,” said Manamela
Mtshweni-Tsipane added that another operation will be held at the Lebombo border on Thursday, due to the high traffic volumes, expected particularly a day before Easter.
” We’ll be randomly searching cars thoroughly, looking for guns, drug or anything that is illegal in people’s possession,” she concluded.
