‘Safety is a collective responsibility’ – Wayne Minnaar

The City of Johannesburg is ready for the busy festive season.

The City launched its annual public safety plan on 5 December in the hope of reducing crime and road mortality.

“The intention of this year’s festive safety campaign is largely to instil a culture of responsibility through education and reinforcement at home, on roads, during events or leisure activities as well as to maintain a heightened sense of awareness and report illegal activities,” said Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

He also said this year they decided to take things a notch up by using children to spread the word and also engage the community.

“Metro Police and Emergency Services will be on high alert as the festive season begins. Our approach is operational as well as educational because we want specific outcomes – we would like the community to come on board and help us with information,” said Minnaar.

He added, “We will put all stops to deal with all emergency situations that might occur during the festive season.

“Safety is a collective responsibility…to succeed we need to work together.”

JMPD also put measures into place and went to M2 East Road for a surprise road block.

During the road block, JMPD intensified their efforts by discontinuing unroadworthy vehicles and checking for unfit drivers.

Edna Mamonyane, who is also JMPD spokesperson said, “This is just to say we have started with our mission, today we are saying safety is a collective responsibility.

“We are together with the South African Police Services in this road block; we are checking the vehicles that are roadworthy. We just want to make sure that when people come to our roads and start using them, you are safe, I am safe and everyone else is safe,” she said.

The City pleads with members of the community to use alcohol responsibly this festive season.