WATCH: ‘Zero tolerance in Joburg during Easter weekend’ – MMC for public safety

With the Easter weekend around the corner, the MMC for public safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, launched the City of Johannesburg’s Easter Road Safety Campaign saying there will be zero tolerance and police officers will be out in full force to ensure safety on the roads.

The campaign was launched on Tuesday, and is a joint initiative by the Public Safety Department, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and Joburg Emergency Service [EMS]) under the sub-theme #LungisaIndabaZakho.

During the Easter weekend many Johannesburg residents travel to various holiday and religious destinations.

Road safety

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said operation #LungisaIndabaZakho ensures road safety during the long weekend.

“It aims to encourage the public to renew their vehicle license discs, renew their drivers’ licenses, visit their nearest Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) for roadworthy tests. Motorists will be encouraged to do these before they travel so that they don’t find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

“Operation #ManjeNamhlanje will continue to be the primary theme and through it, Joburgers will be encouraged to keep to set speed limits, pay traffic fines or face prosecution,” Fihla said.

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Zero tolerance

Tshwaku has urged JMPD officers to be on high alert in the City of Johannesurg.

“In terms of the road blocks, we want road blocks everywhere, Sandton, Midrand and Rosebank, and ensure that our people are safe. Once individuals see police visibility, they tend to be very disciplined.”

Baptism rituals

Tshwaku has also urged residents to refrain from performing church rituals at rivers and streams.

“We are saying to them that please take precautionary safety measures. We don’t want our people to drown. So, the aqua unit and the emergency services know the hotspots, so we don’t have to be reactive, we must be proactive.”

“There is a cholera outbreak and recent drowning by church goers while performing baptismal rituals,” it said.

Statistics from the Easter long weekend 2022 indicated that at least 16 road fatalities were recorded on Gauteng roads, while the Easter 2021 road statistics recorded 189 crashes and 235 fatalities nationwide between 2 and 5 April.

ALSO READ: Officials record fewer accidents over Easter weekend