New trucks unveiled for pothole repairs

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube recently unveiled 55 trucks to improve pothole repair in the province.

Dube-Ncube handed over the trucks to KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka at a launch for the 2023 October Transport Month campaign.

The Premier said the 55 new trucks will be deployed to improve the turnaround time in addressing pothole patching in the province.

She said the trucks which are fitted with the latest pothole patching technology will be distributed to all Department of Transports’ district offices.

She added that the procurement of these trucks is part of the commitment made by the Premier in her State of the Province Address where she committed the government to improve the condition of the provincial road network.

As part of the roll-out of S’thesha Waya Waya, Premier Dube-Ncube, accompanied by the Transport MEC (Hlomuka), and MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza.
She said they also issued out appointment letters to more than 270 road workers and engineering employees.

Dube Ncube said this year’s October Transport Month campaign is being rolled out under the theme: Sakhile – Building better infrastructure to grow South Africa together.
Meanwhile, MEC Hlomuka said it is important for the public to remember that road safety starts with each and everyone.

He said to ensure safe roads, everyone must play a role in abiding by the rules of the road.

“We want to ask pedestrians to refrain from walking in areas that are designated for vehicles. We urge motorists not to drink and drive because that results in loss of lives,” said Hlomuka.

He added that they aim to raise awareness of the important role of transport in the economy, and to invite participation from civic society and businesses alike, in providing a safer, more affordable, accessible and reliable transport

He said their investments in the transport sector are aimed at stimulating development and creating jobs as part of the country’s Nine-Point Plan.

“These investments will ensure that we build an integrated public transport network across the country,” he said.
Also, KZN South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) chairperson, Boy Zondi, said for Transport Month, they are also working on ways to ensure commuters are safe in taxis.

Zondi said they are finding ways to get rid of cash in the taxi industry.

“We will be introducing smart cards so that commuters do not have to use cash. These smart cards will also be followed by cameras installed in every taxi so that the taxi council knows what happens in taxis while they are working. We are doing this because we recently found out that some taxi operators do distasteful things to passengers,” he said.

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