KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has said tackling criminal incidents, such as rock throwing on the province’s key routes, including the N2 and N3 highways was a top priority.
He was commenting on Wednesday after the tragic death of Pietermaritzburg businesswoman Madhumathie Bunwarie.
She died after a car battery that was thrown from a bridge along the N3 in Durban struck the car she was travelling in on Sunday night.
Duma affirmed the joint efforts of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to find those responsible for the incident.
“Our Road Traffic Inspectorate is working with the police to ensure that those who threw a car battery that smashed the windscreen of her car are brought to book,” he said.
The MEC also emphasised that combating such dangerous acts on major routes, including the N3 and N2 highways, was a top priority.
“Fighting this scourge, especially along the N3, N2, and other major routes, is top of our agenda. We are intensifying patrols, working with municipalities,” Duma stated.
Duma also said that a law enforcement agency imbizo will be held next Thursday, where officials will meet to discuss measures for improving road safety.
“We want to harmonise all plans in order to make a maximum impact,” Duma said.
He also announced that a provincial prayer event will be held this coming weekend as part of a campaign to promote road safety with the involvement of the religious sector.
Durban Metro Police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu extended his condolences to Bunwarie’s family and said officers would be stepping up highway patrols.
“We will increase our deployment in these areas. Our highway patrols will be paying special attention to pedestrian bridges. We urge all members to take caution in these areas and notify us immediately when they suspect something,” said Zungu.
The DA called for stronger intervention, expressing concern over the continued lawlessness on the province’s roads.
“We are extremely concerned that such horrific acts of violence are still continuing, with no real intervention from authorities,” the DA said in a statement.
The party pointed out that incidents of objects being thrown from bridges onto vehicles have been a recurring issue, with previous cases involving rocks.
“This lawlessness is a clear indication that criminals have no fear of police services or the consequences of breaking the law.”
On Tuesday, KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli condemned the actions that led to Bunwarie’s death.
He extended his condolences to her family.
Ntuli outlined plans to increase police patrols and visibility around bridges along major highways.
He also pledged to explore additional security measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras to deter similar incidents.
The Mercury