Johannesburg Public Safety MMC Warns of Strict Consequences for Drunk Driving Ahead of Easter Weekend

MMC Mgcini Tshwaku has warned that there will be a zero-tolerance stance on drunk driving as the Easter weekend is a few days away. Tshwaku initiated Johannesburg’s Easter Road Safety Campaign, a joint venture by the public safety department, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services.

As reported by SowetanLIVE, the campaign encourages the public to renew their driver’s and vehicle licence discs and visit a Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) for roadworthy tests before travelling.

Tshwaku incited JMPD officers to have roadblocks in every part of Johannesburg. “We want roadblocks everywhere; Sandton, Midrand and Rosebank, and ensure that our people are safe. Once individuals see police visibility they tend to be disciplined,” he stated.

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Tshwaku warned residents to stop performing baptism rituals in streams and rivers to prevent drownings. “Please take precautionary safety measures, we don’t want our people to drown. The aqua unit and the emergency services know the hotspots so we don’t have to be reactive, we must be proactive,” he mentioned.

Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi advised churchgoers to avoid river baptisms, warning of the risk of contracting cholera. “With cases of cholera reported along the Jukskei River, it might be dangerous for residents to go there and conduct baptism rituals as this might spike the outbreak numbers. Let’s refrain from conducting baptism rituals at the river to stop the outbreak of cholera while also preventing drowning incidents,” stated Mulaudzi.

Last year, over the Easter weekend, over 16 people lost their lives on roads in Gauteng. Eight of them were pedestrians. Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane reported that road crashes leading to fatalities are attributed mainly to the behaviour of pedestrians and drivers. Speeding, unsafe overtaking, drunk driving, vehicle fitness, reckless and negligent driving, and public transport overloading are some challenges that compound the situation on Gauteng roads.

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Don’t Risk Your Life! Councillor Warns Against River Rituals in the Community

Picture:  Image by shilin wang from Pixabay