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The DA has called on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Transport MEC, Sipho Hlomuka to urgently modernize his Department’s operation systems to include ongoing communication relating to traffic conditions and early warnings to road users in the province.

The appeal comes after several crashes over the Easter weekend, including a horror crash on the N3 near Hilton yesterday in rainy, misty conditions involving more than 40 vehicles. Five people were tragically killed while many were injured.

The DA extends its deepest condolences to those who lost family and friends in such a traumatic manner. We also send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the scores of people injured in this particular accident.

While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, the events of the past few days have clearly shown that MEC Hlomuka and his Department of Transport (DoT) cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result.

Of particular concern is the lack of proactive communication from the DoT with road users. This must be dealt with and the Department needs to modernise their operations methods to communicate with road users.

This must include the utilisation of social media to provide ongoing updates around weather and driving conditions along with any other factors that may be hazardous to drivers.

Proactive communication is not only critical, it is possible. One only has to look at uMngeni municipality which kicked into high gear immediately after the N3 crash. Not only did Mayor Chris Pappas and his team immediately activate an emergency contact number, they also offered shelter at the Hilton Town Hall to thousands of motorists left stranded.

This must be commended, as must the actions of the local taxi industry who stepped up and offered public transport to those who might want to continue with their journeys.

The reality is that KZN’s provincial government departments is never ready for a crisis and is short of boots on the ground. When it comes to the DoT, this extends to a severe shortage of Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers.

Last year, the DA submitted a 10-point KZN road safety plan (view here) to MEC Hlomuka and his Department. This plan includes an increase in RTI officers with round-the-clock visibility. It also includes further restrictions on trucks utilising the fast lane and the development of an electronic system where citizens can report ‘real time’ road offenders.

To date, the MEC has yet to acknowledge or implement any of our measures.

The DA remains committed to ensuring that the people of our province have access to a road network that is safe and which is properly maintained and policed.

We call on road users to remain alert, ensure driver rest stops, adhere to traffic regulations and to plan their road trips in advance with consideration for road closures, high traffic volumes and weather conditions.

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