Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

KwaZulu-Natal law enforcement agencies are still maintaining a zero tolerance attitude towards motorists who violate traffic laws beyond the holiday season.

The provincial Department of Transport will tomorrow spearhead a multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional roadblock at Marianhill Toll Plaza ahead of the opening of schools next week.

Spokesperson for the department Jeff Cele told BuaNews that traffic volumes were likely to increase this weekend, as people would be heading home ahead of the opening of schools.

He said tomorrow's roadblock would involve officials from the Department of Home Affairs, customs officials, the South African Police Services (SAPS) as well as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

"Home affairs officials will be searching for illegal immigrants while the police and SANDF will be manning the roadblock and provide security," said Mr Cele.

He said the roadblock would check unlicensed drivers, and unroadworthy, unlicensed and overloaded vehicles as well as stolen vehicles.

Motorists will also be screened for summons for outstanding traffic fines, said Mr Cele.

"The Remcom Unit will be checking motorists' driving licences and screen them for any outstanding summonses on the spot using the mobile unit equipped with the technology to do that," he explained.

Meanwhile, Mr Cele said the festive death toll on the province's roads showed a slight increase as compared to the previous year at this time.

He attributed the slight increase to a 30 percent increase in traffic volumes this festive season as compared to 2002.

"The major cause of accidents appear to be speeding," added Mr Cele.

He said pedestrians made up the majority of the over 300 road deaths due to negligence and walking on the roads drunk.