Over the past weekend on N3 Mariannhill Tollgate in the morning, the highly effective team of Road Traffic Inspectorate stopped and inspected trucks along the N3, this is in effect with the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation.
Foreign truck drivers with one from Zambia were found driving trucks with worn-out tires. In order to save innocent lives, the trucks were impounded.
MEC of Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma reiterated that it is better to prevent such things, as worn out tires are inclined to skidding.
“We say prevention is better than cure because worn tires lack the necessary tread to maintain grip, making them prone to skidding, especially on wet surfaces. In addition, without adequate tread, tires require more time and distance to bring a heavy truck to a complete stop, which is particularly hazardous in emergency situations,” said Duma.
The MEC highlights that they have become pro-active, as in the past there have been some disappearance of foreign truck drivers after causing horrific accidents. Operation #NenzanilaEzweni will be intensified hand in hand with the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Unit, the SAPS, the Department of Labour and Employment, the Road Traffic Management Corporation and other agencies.
Focus is now on strengthening the validation and verification of immigration and foreign drivers documents and also for the 17 provincial weighbridge sites in KwaZulu-Natal, with most vehicles weighed on weighbridge midway at 40 441. With an average of 3370 vehicles weighed per month.
MEC Duma says the statistics are much lower compared to the previous records of the Mpofana weighbridge and emphasized that truck drivers without documentation will face the law.
“This is 33% lower than the highest monthly average of 5 027 vehicles weighed in 2023/24 which was recorded at the Mpofana weighbridge. Truck drivers with overloaded trucks will be charged. We will continue to arrest foreign drivers who fail to produce the necessary documents,’’ he said.
