Ministry for Transport,Community Safety and Liaison in KZN Hon. Nkonyeni

19/05/2021

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni will tomorrow, 20 May 2021, table the Budget Policy Speech at 15h00 for the Department of Transport. The proceedings will be live streamed on social media.

06/04/2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 06 April 2021

MEC NKONYENI DENOUNCES RECKLESS DRIVING FOLLOWING A HORRIFIC CRASH THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TEN PEOPLE IN VRYHEID

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has condemned the reckless and negligent behaviour of some motorists following a horrific accident on the R34 in Vryheid near Lakeside where ten people were killed.

At approximately 11h00 this morning, a Ford Ranger carrying six occupants collided head-on with a Mazda 3 which was carrying seven occupants claiming the lives of seven people at the scene of the accident. Six critically injured survivors were treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to hospital for further medical attention. Tragically three other victims died later in hospital. According to preliminary investigations, it is alleged that the driver of the Mazda 3 failed to stop at a stop street. Although the exact cause of the accident is still being investigated, law enforcement authorities said reckless and negligent driving could not be ruled out.

MEC Nkonyeni made a plea to motorists to exercise maximum patience on the road so that they can arrive alive to their destinations.

“It is heart-breaking that this gruesome accident comes after the Easter long weekend where the province recorded 54 fatalities. It was disturbing to learn that one of the vehicles involved in the accident in Vryheid was overloaded and it is alleged that the driver failed to stop at a stop street, which could be the cause of this ghastly accident that resulted in the death of ten people. Through flouting the basic rules of the road, the driver displayed gross recklessness and total disregard for the rule of law as well as other road users. Human error and negligence are to blame for the increasing death toll on our provincial roads, which is a huge cost to the economy. Therefore, harsher action must be taken against motorists that violate traffic regulations,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

MEC Nkonyeni expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured survivors a speedy recovery.

The Provincial Government working with local municipalities will assist the families of the victims with funeral arrangements and psychosocial services.

ENDS

05/04/2021

02/04/2021

02/04/2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 02 April 2021

MEC NKONYENI CALLS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITHIES TO CLAMP DOWN ON ERRANT MOTORISTS AFTER 21 DRUNK DRIVERS WERE ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has denounced the reckless behaviour of the 21 drunk drivers who were arrested in the province last night, as law enforcement authorities tighten the grip on motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol to ensure road safety during the Easter period.

The motorist with the highest alcohol reading of 0.89mg/l was arrested in the Empangeni Region.

Already five road accidents resulting in eight fatalities were recorded in various parts of the the province yesterday. Four fatalities were recorded in the Empangeni Region, two in the Ladysmith Region and two in the Durban Region.

MEC Nkonyeni has warned that police will keep a watchful eye on liquor outlets and other businesses to ensure compliance with their licence conditions and Covid-19 restrictions.

“Thousands of lives are lost each year and most accidents are as a result of human behaviour such as drinking and then proceeding to drive therefore putting the lives of other road users at risk. There are far too many people dying on our roads and the 21 motorists who were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol could have killed many innocent road users, so harsher punishment must be meted out against drunk drivers,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

As part Operation Vala multi-disciplinary law enforcement operations during the Easter period additional law enforcement authorities have been deployed on all major roads throughout the province to ensure maximum compliance.

“A large multi-disciplinary law enforcement contingent comprising of members from the South African Police Service, Road Traffic Inspectorate, Metro Police as well as law enforcers from our neighbouring provinces has been deployed on our provincial roads targeting various categories of crime including overloading, drinking and driving, driving unroadworthy vehicles, driving without a licence and failure to adhere to Covid-19 Alert Level 1 Regulations,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

ENDS

31/03/2021

Media Advisory

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

MEC NKONYENI WITH KZN TAXI INDUSTRY EMBARK ON ROAD SAFETY LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION AHEAD OF EASTER LONG WEEKEND

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni together with the provincial leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) will tomorrow, 01 April 2021, embark on a massive multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation and road safety campaign targeting public transport in the lead-up to the busy Easter long weekend.

All emergency services and law enforcement authorities will be on high alert during the Easter period and beyond to ensure compliance on provincial roads. This programme is part of the Operation Vala multi-disciplinary law enforcement operations and Easter Road Safety roll-out plan which was launched by Premier Sihle Zikalala today.

MEC Nkonyeni commended proactive preventative interventions taken by the taxi industry to educate commuters about the importance of reducing the spread of Covid-19 since the first case was detected in March last year.

31/03/2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 30 March 2021

KWAZULU-NATAL PREMIER SIHLE ZIKALALA LAUNCHED 2021 EASTER LONG WEEKEND ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

In an unprecedented show of force and government’s concerted efforts to effectively respond to road traffic needs and improve road safety, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala accompanied by MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni today, 31 March 2021, launched the Easter Road Safety Campaign to promote responsible road use over the Easter long-weekend and beyond.

A total of 1279 vehicles were stopped in a multi-disciplinary roadblock at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza with 30 various charges and one suspension. This is expected to increase over the Easter weekend as the province anticipates an influx of people and increased traffic volumes, with travels to work, leisure and pilgrims.

Premier Zikalala said this morning’s multi-disciplinary roadblock was intended to inspect the roadworthiness of vehicles, compliance of Covid-19 protocols and driver capability.

“What we want is to ensure that people follow all protocols of Covid-19 and ensure that road users follow protocols and obey the rules and the law,” said Zikalala.

MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni said that they would conduct other strategic operations over the Easter weekend as part of Operation Vala multi-disciplinary law enforcement operations.

“Our Operation Vala multi-disciplinary law enforcement operations are in full swing. We will be tightening security measures across the province and call on all sectors of society including religious groups to work with government in reducing crime and road carnage. We want to ensure that our road users are driving on our roads responsibly so, they avoid consumption of alcohol before they arrive at their destinations, checking their speed limits and also to ensure that drivers have a passenger list for long distance travelling,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

Premier Zikalala and MEC Nkonyeni then proceeded to conduct a road safety blitz at the Eastern Cape Long Distance Taxi Rank in Williams Road where they engaged with passengers and wished them a safe journey.

ENDS

30/03/2021

Media Advisory

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

KWAZULU-NATAL PREMIER SIHLE ZIKALALA TO LAUNCH 2021 EASTER LONG WEEKENG ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

As part of the government’s concerted efforts to effectively respond to road traffic needs and improve road safety, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala accompanied by MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni and EThekwini Metro Mayor Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda will tomorrow, 31 March 2021, launch the Easter Road Safety Campaign to promote responsible road use over the Easter long-weekend and beyond.

Unlike the previous year where the country was under Covid-19 total lockdown, the Easter period this year will be taking place under Covid-19 Alert-Level 1 of the National Lockdown; as such the province anticipates an influx of people and increased traffic volumes, with travels to work, leisure and pilgrims.

“Our Road Safety Campaign is a 365-day programme. However, during heightened traffic periods such as the Easter long-weekend, our law enforcement agencies double their efforts to save lives and ensure maximum compliance to reduce the number of road crashes and fatalities. The loss of life on our roads is preventable, but it will take a collective effort to achieve this,” said Premier Zikalala.

25/03/2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 25 March 2021

MEC NKONYENI CONDEMNS TAXI INDUSTRY PROTEST AND STANDOFF ON THE N3 BETWEEN OPERATORS FROM THE HOWICK AND PIETERMARITZBURG TAXI ASSOCIATIONS

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has condemned the taxi industry protest and standoff over route issues, between operators from the Howick and Pietermaritzburg Taxi Associations which disrupted the free flow of traffic in the Pietermaritzburg CBD and busy N3 economic corridor earlier today.

MEC Nkonyeni tasked police to act swiftly and arrest suspects behind this act of criminality. She said any person who disrupts traffic by blocking roads conducts a criminal act and will be charged.

“Police need to implement the rule of law and ensure that those who break the law by obstructing traffic flow are charged. We have also tasked officials from the Department of Transport to urgently meet with the conflict-ridden taxi associations in an attempt to understand the root causes of the problem. The KwaZulu-Natal Government is committed to win the war on taxi violence if we are serious about the development of this industry and the safety of our commuters including all road users. However, out of the 246 taxi associations in KZN very few remain with challenges,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

By late this afternoon, officials from the Department of Transport had met with members of the Zimeleni Taxi Owners Association (Howick) and Pietermaritzburg Long-Distance Taxi Association and an agreement was made that they will return to normal operations and both associations will respect the ongoing legal processes over route disputes.

Law enforcement authorities will continue to monitor the situation and affected routes to prevent bloodshed and loss of innocent lives.

ENDS

25/03/2021

MEC NKONYENI OUTLINES KEY PRIORITIES DURING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND LIAISON’S STRATEGIC REVIEW SESSION FOR THE 2021/22 FINANCIAL YEAR

The newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni began her morning at the KZN Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence in Umhlanga where she was addressing senior management, officials and invited stakeholders during the Department of Community Safety and Liaison’s Strategic Plan Review Session for the 2021/2022 financial year.

In her Opening Remarks, MEC Nkonyeni said the Departmental Strategic Planning Session was very critical as it will determine what the department’s key priorities are for the next financial year and the coming years in fulfilment of the mandate and priorities set out by the 6th administration.

“This Strategic Plan Review Session is intended to provide us an opportunity to reflect on broader developments and trends locally as well as nationally that impact on the implementation of the National Development Plan and Provincial Growth and Development Plan. Last week during my introductory engagement with MANCO members, I mentioned the importance of implementing the District Development Model as it is a new integrated planning model for cooperative governance which is aimed at fast-tracking service delivery and ensuring that municipalities are adequately supported and resourced to carry out their mandate. It is pleasing to know that the Department is visible in all eleven District Municipalities across our province, but all Directors are residing at the Head Office. This needs to be seriously looked into, so that our communities receive proper service delivery and feel the presence of government closer to their doorsteps, more especially because crime is a major concern for our people. This includes all our stakeholders, so that we can realise our vision of building a crime free province. The Department needs to be decentralised – therefore the strategy needs to address that particular issue so that we are able to reach all corners of the province,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

MEC Nkonyeni said one of the strategic objectives of the 6th administration is to build the capacity of the state and the department has been mandated to deal with serious issues troubling citizens in the province.

“There’s a lot of crime in our province, gender-based violence and human trafficking is also a major concern, as we speak people are looting shops in Ezinqoleni, there’s service delivery protests in various parts of our province and these protests are expected to increase as we are approaching the Local Government Elections, so the question we should be asking ourselves is what is our role as the Department of Community Safety and Liaison in addressing all these issues that are troubling our people? It is for this reason that the Department must constantly monitor, evaluate, and adjust its strategic initiatives. Let us think outside of the box. Importantly, we need to start dealing with the organisational structure which is very imperative. Lastly, the success of this strategy lies in the process of turning plans into action in order to reach a desired outcome therefore, we must ensure that our strategies are turned into service delivery plans of action so that we will make a tangible difference in people’s lives. We need to be very innovative and constantly engage with communities in order to prevent unnecessary service delivery protests,” concluded MEC Nkonyeni.

Stakeholders representing community crime fighting structures such as the KZN Community Crime Prevention Association, KZN Youth Desk and KZN Community Policing Forum Board reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Department in fighting crime in the province as well as driving crime prevention interventions. They also highlighted key challenges that they are faced with in executing their duties, which MEC Nkonyeni committed to deal with in order to enable crime fighting structures to effectively drive crime fighting campaigns throughout the province.

23/03/2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 23 March 2021

MEC FOR TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND LIAISON, MS NELISWA PEGGY NKONYENI TASKS POLICE TO ENFORCE THE RULE OF LAW TO ENSURE STABILITY AND END VIOLENT PROTEST ACTION IN EZINGOLWENI

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has tasked law enforcement agencies to step-up their enforcement operations and ensure that law and order prevails in Ezingolweni, South Coast, following anarchy as a result of service delivery protests in the area.

MEC Nkonyeni condemned the destruction of infrastructure and malicious damage to property after protesters blockaded roads with burning tyres and rubble since the early hours of the morning.

According to reports, a Municipal building and state vehicle was also set alight by the protesters.

MEC Nkonyeni called on police to act swiftly and arrest suspects behind these acts of criminality. She commended police who by midday had arrested two suspects for public violence and one suspect for arson in connection to the burning of a Municipal building and state vehicle.

“Public Order Police together with the South African Police Service’s Tactical Response Team have been deployed to the area and the situation is receiving urgent attention. We have directed police to act swiftly and so far, three people have been arrested for public violence and arson. The arrested suspects must face the full might of the law because we want to ensure that protesters who cause anarchy and vandalise state property deal with the consequences of their criminal actions. While community members have the freedom to exercise their constitutional rights to protest and display their dissatisfaction with lack of service delivery, they should do so within the confines of the law without resorting to criminality or endangering the lives of law-abiding citizens. The destruction of property will never be tolerated by the KwaZulu-Natal Government therefore, the law must take its course in dealing with the culprits,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

MEC Nkonyeni said heavy police presence including Public Order Police, the Tactical Response Team and local police have been deployed to monitor the situation in the affected areas.

ENDS