288 traffic point duty officers to help keep Limpopo’s roads safe
Over the next two years as per their contract, the EPWP workers are expected to bolster available traffic officials and where possible, prevent road fatalities.
POLOKWANE – A fresh-from-college cohort of traffic point duty officers await the responsibility to where possible, prevent road fatalities in the province.
Last Friday, Transport MEC Florence Radzilani welcomed 288 trained youths into the department during a function at The Ranch Resort, saying the job ahead is a taxing one that requires diligence.
Over the next two years as per their contract, the EPWP workers are expected to bolster available traffic officials, with Radzilani referring to the Easter weekend fatalities as reference on what is expected from them.
“Of the 36 fatalities that we recorded over Easter, 10 were pedestrians. We will rely on your skills to keep our roads safe. Where you encounter motorists who disregard your presence and endanger the lives of civilians, raise the alarm and inform the authorities,” she told added.
In this year’s budget vote, Radzilani stated that aid they allocated R850.1m towards traffic regulation, with R711.2m earmarked towards the compensation of employees, the construction of various traffic stations and the development of the Limpopo Traffic College, in Manenu.
The department was unable to recruit aspiring young men and women who wanted to undergo training at the college in the 2019/2020 financial year due to a resurgence of Covid-19, lockdown regulations and health protocols but irrespective of this setback, they used the unfortunate break to provide decent shelter and a conducive training environment for the next intake.
The Block A building of the college at a cost of R18m accommodated 60 trainees in that year.
“In the last financial year, we completed the upgrading of Block B which was the construction of a 40-beds dormitory, at the same cost. An additional R14m has been set aside, for the completion of Block C.”
The kitchen and the canteen at the college have been allocated a separate amount of R16m and must be undertaken in the 2023/24 financial year, she added.
