THE Acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Kwazi Mshengu, has urged motorists to be extra vigilant on the roads during wet weather.
Recent heavy rains have caused extensive damage to bridges and other transport infrastructure.
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Mshengu explained that his department is currently quantifying the extent of the damage caused by the recent severe weather conditions, which mainly affected Zululand, uMkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo districts.
‘Many roads and bridges in the province have been damaged by the heavy rain, resulting in some roads being completely closed with limited access to communities, social, health and economic facilities.
‘We have received reports that roads and bridges in district municipalities such as Zululand, uMkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo have been severely damaged. A team has been dispatched to assess the damage, and they will put together a report on how the department can intervene.
‘We also have teams on the ground, who are on 24-hour standby, and our Road Traffic Inspectorate is diverting traffic in areas where transport infrastructure has been washed away,’ Mshengu said.
‘While no major accidents resulting in multiple fatalities on our roads were reported due to the recent heavy downpours, we are concerned by the high number of crashes that have occurred, especially on the N3 and N2.
‘We appeal to motorists and pedestrians to continue exercising extreme caution and call upon all road users to adhere to the rules of the road,’ Mshengu said.
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