The Chief Executive Officer Advocate Makhosini Msibi of the Road Traffic Management Corporation has promised to fire officers found to be taking bribes over the coming Easter travel period.
Addressing the National Traffic Police in Tshwane ahead of their deployment to the roads, Adv. Msibi called on the traffic officers to make a difference in the country by reducing the number of vehicle road fatalities.
He cautioned that stern action will be taken against those who will be involved in bribery, corruption, misuse of firearms and come to work under the influence of alcohol.
He promised support to those who do their work diligently but “those who do wrong mabahambe (let them be fired)”.
“We cannot allow these people to be among us. You cannot be friends with criminals,” he emphasised.
Traffic is expected to increase on all major roads leaving major industrial hubs from Thursday.
Some of the roads that are expected to experience a surge in traffic volumes include among other: the N1 from Gauteng to Polokwane, N3 from Gauteng to KwaZulu Natal, the N14 Gauteng to Mpumalanga, N2 KwaZulu Natal to Eastern Cape, N2 Eastern Cape to Western Cape, N6 Eastern Cape to Western Cape.
Other routes include the N1 from Free State to Western Cape, N12 Gauteng to the North West and N8 from Bloemfontein to Lesotho. Highly visible law enforcement will take place on all the routes including alternative arterials. Motorists are urged to respect all the rules of the road and avoid alcohol, speeding and reckless conduct.
It is further advised that speed should be reduced when passing residential areas to avoid collision with pedestrians. Pedestrians are also called up to stay away from the highways. Law enforcement officers have been instructed to remove people found hitch hiking on these routes.
Heavy fines will be issued against public transport operators found transporting passengers in contravention of their permits. Road users are reminded that safety on the roads is joint responsibility and it starts with every individual using the road.