By Khumo Makame
As part of the Back-to-School Campaign, the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison conducted a road block along the busy R31 between Kimberley and Kuruman on 13 January.
R31 is the corridor to the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Free State, mainly used for transporting minerals. It is also the most accident-prone route in the province.
Led by the Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa along with MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi, MMC for Safety from Sol Plaatje Municipality Nomazizi Shwababa and representatives from Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, NC Liquor Board, Immigration Officials from Department of Home Affairs including 71 Traffic Officers from National Office and Provincial and members of the SAPS.
Hlengwa stressed that road safety awareness should form part of everyday life to all road users. He referred to an accident that took place in 2024 where primary school leaners died in a taxi. The accident report pointed out that the vehicle was mechanically sound. The driver of the scholar transport was certified to be meeting all the requirements and it was the other driver’s error on who caused the accident.
“The lesson learned in that accident was that the learners were unable to respond to the accident. They were unable to utilise the emergency exits to get out of their transport. These leaners ages were between 6 to 10 year olds. It is important to teach children, in simple terms, how to respond during emergencies and to exit a vehicle safely’, Hlengwa said.
He indicated that the department intends working with the Department of Education to incorporate vehicle safety lesson as part of Life Orientation at schools in order to equip the learners from a young age.
Koloi expressed serious road safety concerns around the R31, which carries the highest volume of trucks leaving province and the need to strengthen colaboration between government departments.
“By working together across all spheres of government, we can make our roads safer for everyone”, said Koloi.
She also stated that the number of accidents dropped a bit after the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) officially took over the responsibility of maintaining R31. The maintenance included the lifting of the road between Kimberley and Barkly West and filling major potholes regularly.
The campaign resulted in123 vehicles and 332 persons stopped and searched. Traffic fines amounting to R49 500.00 and five undocumented foreign nationals were arrested,”
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