By Obakeng Maje

 

Haartbees Dam-About 23 illegal immigrants from different foreign countries were arrested during a joint operation between the Provincial Traffic Authorities and the South African Police Service held around the Haartebees area in the North West Province.

 

Twenty one taxis were also impounded for unroadworthy and 33 traffic fines worth R70 000 were issued to different defaulting motorists.

 

An intensified roadblock which lasted for four hours was part of this year’s transport month scheduled activities.

 

North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi made a plea to motorists to obey the law and cooperate on the road as a symbol to observe the October transport month.

 

He urged motorists to stick to the speed limit and stay away from overloading, particularly taxi operators to avoid been on the wrong side of the law.

 

MEC said traffic authorities will embark on zero tolerance special operations across all roads in the province in response to the high rate of road crashes involving passenger transport vehicles.

 

The transport month campaign, which was officially declared in 2005 at the Transport Lekgotla, is commemorated annually during the month of October.

 

“It is aimed at raising awareness on the important role of transport in the economy, to solicit participation from civil society and business in providing a more affordable, safer, accessible and reliable transport system” MEC Nono Maloyi said in a statement.

 

Maloyi said through the campaign, the department highlights the role and successes of all stakeholders in creating safe modes of transport and contributions towards socio- economic development innovations.-TDN

 

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