Mr Vusi Shongwe, MEC of the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, has commended law enforcement officers following the arrest of a speedster travelling 166 km per hour in a 120km zone on the N4 road near Van Dyk’s Drift in Middelburg last week.
The suspect appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on 21 August and was released on R1 500 bail.
Shongwe also welcomed the arrest of five suspects in connection with driving under the influence saying that such offenders, if found guilty, should receive maximum permissible sentences to save lives. More than 4 554 fines were issued for various traffic offences during operations across the province last week.
These operations are expected to help with visibility of law enforcement teams to enhance road safety and ensure general compliance with traffic regulations.
During the operations, 49 193 vehicles were stopped and tested and 263 vehicles impounded, while 200 unroadworthy vehicles were discontinued.
Mr Shongwe lauded the officials and the police for the role that they continue to play in ensuring that crime is prevented and the roads are safer.
He called on community members to help the government to combat bad driving by reporting any misbehaviour to traffic authorities for appropriate steps to be taken.
“While we acknowledge our law enforcement agencies for their continued efforts to deal with lawlessness on our roads, we also need to work hard to enhance safety.
“Road users are warned to obey traffic regulations to ensure that there is a reduction of crashes in the province,” he also said.
