Durban — A group of Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), SAPS, Durban metro police and Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) women braved the cold on Monday morning to hold a multidisciplinary roadblock at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza.
The roadblock was part of the ongoing enforcement roadblocks led by women as part of commemorating Women’s Month. Many strides were made in promoting a safer road environment this month and building safer communities with SAPS operations led by women officers.
The women presented a show of strength when they mounted a multidisciplinary operation to ensure compliance on the road and fight crime in KwaZulu-Natal.
KZN Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka also attended the roadblock.
According to the department, more than 55 officers were deployed and more than 80 vehicles were stopped and searched. Several motorists were charged with various offences, such as unpaid fines and not being in possession of their licences. Two drivers were charged with not having their professional driving permits.
The department said that the operation was also a build-up to the Women in Transport and Law Enforcement Dialogue, which will be hosted by Hlomuka this afternoon at 5pm at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban. The dialogue will be addressed, by among others, KZN Premier Nomusa Dube–Ncube.
Hlomuka said it was high time that women were also recognised and given enough space to operate in the enforcement fraternity.
“It is inspiring to see female officers leading such successful operations. We salute them for their dedication and hard work in ensuring that KwaZulu-Natal is safe on the road and in our communities. We would like to see more women being given more responsibilities and leadership roles within the enforcement fraternity. This means women in enforcement have the responsibility of ensuring that KwaZulu-Natal is safe.
“In the two departments (Transport and Community Safety and Liaison) we have achieved and surpassed the 50% women representation in management. As this government we will continue reaffirming the role of women in strategic areas of work,” Hlomuka said.
The MEC added that the department would continue intensifying women-led operations across the province as part of the 365 Days of Road Safety Programme.
Daily News