Question NW3369 to the Minister of Transport
31 October 2022 - NW3369
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Transport
Following the Pongola accident, wherein 19 learners were killed on our roads, what immediate measures of intervention have been taken regarding the transportation of learners in bakkies?
Reply:
Integrated law enforcement operations will be scaled up targeting trucks, public transport and bakkies in Pongola and across all provinces including Pongola in KZN. These operations are monitored regularly to determine impact and to decide on further cause of action and interventions.
The KwaZulu Natal Road Inspectorate and the local municipal traffic officers are part of the integrated plan to address the question of bakkies transporting learners and freight in general.
The National Traffic Police will also be deployed on an ad-hoc basis to assist the province informed by analysis of traffic information to assist in areas with insufficient traffic policing capacity
Block patrols will also be undertaken to ensure considerate driving in the area.
The MEC in the province has been advised to invoke the provisions of Section 50 of the National Road Traffic Act to conduct investigations with a view of suspending the operators permit with regards to freight transport.