Shongwe was speaking after the overnight operations that were conducted by the senior management of his department on the N4 and N12 over the weekend, which ended on Monday.
The project has been initiated by the head of the department Mr William Mthombothi as part of the activities aimed at augmenting road safety and law enforcement activities during the Festive Season.
Speaking to the department’s management prior to the commencement of the operation, MEC Shongwe indicated that members of senior management should not be allowed to be on leave during the holiday season.
According to Shongwe, this will assist in boosting the morale of SAPS members, traffic officers and road safety officials to work even harder in order to ensure that roads are safer during this period.
Shongwe further reminded law enforcement officers that government and the people of Mpumalanga have invested great confidence in their work, stating that they have the responsibility to protect the people both on and off the road.
The MEC said government exists because people have placed hope and trust into the hands of leaders and public servants. He urged everyone not to discredit that trust and loyalty which the people have in government by not doing their work properly.
During the senior management operations, officials stopped and weighed 524 vehicles across the province’s overloading stations. 145 fines were issued for various traffic offences. The traffic officers issued 62 summonses for various traffic offences. 39 notices to discontinue motor vehicles that were not roadworthy were issued.
Shongwe has commended the management of the department and officers who were on duty, saying that they should not spur any mercy for those who break law.
“We have been spreading messages on road safety on all platforms available to us. Motorists know what is expected of them while they are on the road. Those who are not complying should be prepared to face consequences of their actions.
Our law enforcement should not turn any blind eye on any negligent or reckless driving during this holiday season and beyond,” said the MEC.
He instructed that operations led by the management of the department in support of law enforcers should be the order of the day in order to save lives on the road.
