Media Release by Bonginkosi Madikizela, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

I appeal to all road users to give all law enforcement personnel their full cooperation during this challenging period.

During the National Disaster Lockdown, Western Cape Traffic Services arrested 83 motorists for various offences and issued 821 fines worth R 1 337 100. 00 for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Other arrests vary from driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding and or reckless and negligent driving thus endangering fellow road users. 107 speeding offences were recorded.

This past week, 27 April to 3 May the Western Cape had a total of 282 integrated roadblocks and vehicle check point operations across the province which resulted in the officers stopping and checking 10 998 vehicles.

Four vehicles were impounded and 33 vehicles discontinued for unroadworthiness.

Fatalities recorded from 27 April till 03 May 2020:

From 27 April till 03 May 2020, a total of 10 fatalities and 8 crashes were recorded:

The highest speed recorded:

• 172km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 135/h in a 100km/h zone
• 119/h in a 80 km/h zone

Disaster Management Act Arrests and Charges:

• The following 155 fines were issued to the value of R235 400:
• 87 x Failure to confine to place of residence
• 16 x Exceeding the carrying capacity of 70%
• 20 x Exceeding the carrying capacity of 60%
• 22 x Travelling without an essential service worker permit
• 8 x Movement between Metropolitan Districts
• 2 x Movement between Provinces

National Disaster Management Regulation Arrests: 63

• 57 x Failure to confine to the place of residence
• 2 x Travelling without an essential service worker permit
• 4 x Movement between Provinces

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act: 20

• 2 x Driving under the influence – Somerset West
• 1 x Driving under the influence – Worcester
• 1 x Reckless/Negligent driving - Worcester
• 1 x Bribery and corruption – Laingsburg
• 1 x Fraudulent documentation – Beaufort West
• 1 x Speed arrest (172km/h in 120km zone) - Laingsburg
• 1 x illegal ammunition and furnish false information – Vredenburg
• 12 x Undocumented persons – Oudtshoorn

We also arrested a public transport operator in Laingsburg for trying to bribe a traffic officer. I would like to reiterate that we will not tolerate such behaviour from any motorist who thinks that this is an easy way out.

We will continue with our 24/7 planned operations across our province to ensure that we remove all irresponsible motorist to safeguard the lives of innocent road users and to stringently enforce the Disaster Management Regulations.

For some who have not been driving their motor vehicles since the Lockdown we ask that you ensure that you check your motor vehicle for roadworthiness and as we systematically allow our citizens to return to work, they abide by the Rules of the Road.

It is our responsibility to do our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that other road-users are safe.