Strengthening the Western Cape’s provincial traffic service | Western Cape Government

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Strengthening the Western Cape’s provincial traffic service

1 July 2016

Fifty students who successfully completed the 12-month Further Education and Training Certificate: Road Traffic Law Enforcement will graduate from the Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell, Cape Town, on 6 July 2016. The graduates will also receive their traffic officer appointment cards at the ceremony.

Thirty of the graduates will join Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services, 10 will go to Big Five Hlabisa Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, seven will work for Overstrand Municipality, two will join the Breede Valley Municipality, and one will be working for Matzikama Municipality.

Over the last year, course participants received training accredited by the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA), which includes instruction in the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) guidelines on road traffic law enforcement. They have successfully completed firearm competency training, driver training (including articulated motor vehicle and motorcycle training), first aid training, and training in fighting fires. They were also deployed at various traffic centres to gain practical experience of traffic law enforcement duties during the Easter and December holiday periods.

Yolandi Snyders (30) from Paarl says the training gave her good exposure, and she learned about discipline and how far she could push herself.

“A lot of hard work went in, but it was worth it at the end. I was a driving instructor for ten years, and I know about the need for road safety. I’m looking forward to becoming a qualified traffic officer.”

Sabelo Gumede (33) from KwaZulu-Natal is grateful for this opportunity.

“I learned so much about traffic law enforcement, and also about myself and the positive role I can play to promote road safety. It has always been my dream to become a traffic officer. I met so many wonderful people who taught me so much and showed me the value of teamwork. I look forward to making roads safer when I start working in my province.”

Jay-Cee Marais (28) from Hawston was working as an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) beneficiary in early 2015, and now looks forward to enforcing traffic laws in Overstrand Municipality.

“The past few months have really been an eye-opener. I am grateful for everything I’ve learned. A career in traffic is worthwhile, and one can make a positive contribution to our roads and road users. A lot of fines doesn’t make you a good traffic officer, it’s the way you handle road users. Be approachable and engage with people.”

Gene Louw Traffic College has a well-deserved reputation for producing dedicated and well-trained traffic officers who recognise their role in making our roads safer. Indeed, the college has been training professionals for more than 25 years. The Department of Transport and Public Works is confident that these new traffic officer graduates will make us proud by improving law enforcement on our roads and reducing the number of road deaths in the Western Cape and beyond.

Media Enquiries: 

Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: byron.lahoe@westerncape.gov.za

You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW