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The DA has called on KwaZulu-Natal’s ANC-run executive to step up and provide proper leadership as the carnage on the province’s roads, particularly when it comes to trucks, continues unabated.

The call comes after yet another incident this morning, this time on the M41 near Umhlanga, after a truck ploughed into at least 47 vehicles.

The carnage on KZN’s roads continues to increase, yet there remains a significant lack of initiative from the government when it comes to tackling this.

In November 2022, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube announced that KZN, through the Department of Transport, was exploring various ways to put an end to road carnage involving trucks. She also stated that this might include enforcing a curfew on freight trucks and redirecting vehicles to less busy roads while adding that government was engaging with the freight and logistics industry.

This was at least four months ago and the DA now calls on the Premier and her Transport MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, to tell us how far they are with these plans.

Of further concern is that incidents involving trucks in KZN appear to be marked by a complete lack of accountability. Many accidents involve heavy vehicle drivers who are either inexperienced, unlicensed, not familiar with the terrain, suffering from fatigue after driving for too long without a break and even consuming alcohol.

In addition, many trucks are not being serviced regularly, leaving them with dangerous mechanical defects and even failed breaks, as witnessed in this morning’s M41 incident.

Safer roads begin with strict law enforcement, visible policing, law-abiding road users and roadworthy vehicles. It is time that this ANC-run provincial government and MEC Hlomuka got this right.

KZN’s people cannot afford to wait another day for stricter measures to be put in place. Those trucking companies that place the lives of KZN’s road users at risk must be punished. If the MEC is not willing to do this, he must exit his position.

The people of KZN need an individual who is committed to making our roads safer and who is prepared to act on this.

Issued by Sharon Hoosen, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Transport