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The Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswangayi, calls for harsher and severe penalties for all those who intentionally harm Traffic Officers.

This follows escalating numbers of traffic officers who are maimed and killed on the South African roads whilst on duty.

“It is totally unacceptable that traffic officers whose primary duty is to save lives ends up losing their own due to reckless and negligent drivers. We are under no illusion that all of us as law-abiding South Africans have a protracted war ahead of us; a war that has been declared by heartless criminals on these men and women who seeks to ensure that law and order prevails,” said Minister Maswanganyi.

Minister Maswanganyi said the Department of Transport and all its road entities is ready to deal with these heinous crimes including corruption. This includes the collaborative implementation of the National Road Safety. 

“Our road traffic policing philosophy is primarily embedded in the close cooperation between traffic officers and all spheres of society. The active involvement of community structures in road safety, as road safety ambassadors and road safety champions will contribute towards decreasing crashes on our roads, including inculcating a sense of responsibility by all citizens,” said Minister Maswanganyi.

Minister Maswanganyi passes his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr Vincent Ngomane, who was allegedly run down by a motorist whilst on duty in Mpumalanga.

“In the recent past, Mr Ngomane was honoured with two Awards by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison. He was indeed amongst the man and women in the traffic fraternity who are disciplined, courageous, responsible and knowledgeable on road traffic matters. We will forever be grateful for his contribution and that of his ilk,” said Minister Maswanganyi.

Issued by Department of Transport