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The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has called for an urgent report from law enforcement in the province following a dramatic surge in attacks on Durban’s N2 freeway.

The call, made in writing to the Chairperson on KZN’s Transport portfolio committee, Mondli Chiliza comes after numerous recent incidents which include;

• A motorist shot and killed on the N2 at Tugela River bridge on 20 July after his vehicle broke down.
• A motorist robbed and stabbed after his vehicle crashed into a barrier on 17 July. This after rocks were placed on the N2 before Spaghetti Junction.
• A woman became the victim of rock-throwing on the N2 at the Yellowwood Park Bridge. Fortunately, she managed to continue driving to safety.
• A man killed after being struck by a passing vehicle. This while trying to flee individuals who had placed rocks on the N2 near Spaghetti Junction.
• A medical professional forced to ‘run for his life’ and hide in bushes after he experienced vehicle trouble on the N2 near Spaghetti Junction.

Our province’s roads are under siege. If it’s not trucks being burned, it’s horrific multiple car pile-ups or brutal attacks on road users.

While the DA notes that SAPS has initiated a task team to address the latest N2 attacks, there have been few arrests to date. As a result, the DA has called for a full report to be presented. The report must include;

• Challenges being experienced by SAPS when it comes to enforcing law and order on our roads;
• The contribution from eThekwini Municipality with respect to functioning or non-functioning CCTV cameras;
• The capability of Metro Police law enforcement and the number of patrols currently being conducted;
• An update on the KZN Department of Transport (DoT) road and verge maintenance programme. Poor roads and overgrown verges contribute to breakdowns and increased criminal activity and;
• eThekwini Municipality Parks and Garden Department’s contribution to the same maintenance.

The DA urges Chairperson Chiliza to ensure that a full report is given. It is critical that all shortfalls are identified if they are to be remedied. It is also essential that new and modern solutions are found in order to curb the scourge of attacks on innocent road users.

KZN’s Taliban faction ANC government must prioritise the safety of KZN’s people and commit to finding solutions to the carnage on our roads. Our province must be rescued. This can only be done through the ballot box next year.

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