Minister launches transport month
Marking new beginnings …Transport Minister Dipuo Peters joined by Free State MEC for police road and transport Sam Mashinini in cutting the ribbon assisted
Transport minister Dipuo Peters launched Transport Month by vowing to tighten the screws on syndicates involved in issuing fraudulent drivers’ licenses, who she blamed for exorbitant statistics of road fatalities.
Peters issued this warning when officially opening the Intabazwe Testing Station at Harrismith on Tuesday this week.
“We are aware of the syndicates that operate within testing stations where a traffic officer connive with driving school owners to issue drivers licences to people who do not qualify. Some do not even know how to drive but they have a driver’s license obtained in exchange of money.
“Such activities must come to an end. The Hawks are busy investigating this practice and we will not hesitate to fire such corrupt officers. Members of the public must refrain from bribing traffic officers to obtain driver’s licenses. They too will be prosecuted if caught,” Peters warned
The minister also officially opened the 20.1km R74 road which connects Free State to KwaZulu-Natal.
She said this road is one of the 23 roads that the Premier Ace Magashule has requested the national department to assist in constructing and upgrading.
“We are committed to the development of this area because it is where a multi-million rand special economic hub is going to be piloted.
“As government, we want to support this project because it will help alleviate poverty through job creation. Women here will no longer have to rely on child support grants for survival; instead, they will be employed in factories that will be set up here.
“To attract more investors, we have started constructing and refurbishing our roads. The first thing that the investors look out for before investing is the accessibility and reliability of the local transport system and road infrastructure,” Peters highlighted.
At the same occasion, police, roads and transport MEC Sam Mashinini advised the Maluti-A-Phofung community to make use of opportunities availed by government.
“You are very lucky that the both the national and provincial governments are focusing on your area. You must use this opportunity to upgrade yourselves instead looking to government to finance you.”
