Nelson Mandela Bay law enforcement will be out in full force this Easter Weekend – NMBM

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s law enforcement
divisions will be out in full force this Easter Weekend with Metro Police and
Traffic Law Enforcement roadblocks already in place to nab drunken drivers and
other transgressors.

Mr Shane Brown, Acting Executive Director for Safety and
Security, said the main focus areas are integrated roadblocks by Metro Police
and Traffic Law Enforcement in close collaboration with the South African
Police Services.

“Our integrated approach will include roving vehicle point
checks, visibility at the annual Splash Festival and around malls and shopping
centres and patrol on main routes,” Brown said.

This will be the first time since 2019, a year before the
coronavirus pandemic brought tourism to a halt, that an influx of visitors are
expected to attend the Splash Festival, roam our beaches and as a result
vehicle traffic on our roads will increase.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security,
Cllr Lawrence Troon, made an impassioned plea to motorists not to drink and
drive over the Easter Weekend.

“It is ironic that over a period of commemorating the death
and resurrection of Christ that we have death and mayhem on our roads as a
result of drunken driving and transgressions of our traffic laws.

“If you want to drink, please consider staying at home or
get a designated driver. We can still replace motor vehicles or damaged
property, but human lives cannot be replaced.

“We must really take stock of our behaviour on an individual
level to stop the carnage. This will take self-discipline. Our law enforcement
teams will do their part as well to contribute to a national effort to decrease
fatalities on our roads during the Easter period,” Troon said.

Mr Warren Prins, Director: Traffic and Licensing, said there
will be a dedicated focus on passenger vehicles and the municipality’s mobile
vehicle testing trucks will be used to check vehicles for roadworthiness.

“This is part of our efforts to attain the national target
to reduce road fatalities with 25% this Easter Weekend”, Prins said.

Metro Police Commissioner Yolande Faro emphasised that a zero-tolerance
policy will be enforced concerning drunken driving and the beachfront is an
alcohol-free zone.

In the case of emergencies, the Metro Police, Fire and
Emergency Services, Traffic Law Enforcement and Security Services can be
contacted at 041 585 1555. The 24-hour designated call centre for vandalism is
041 506 5500.

#13;

Issued on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality by Media Management Officer Kupido Baron (082 780 2726 / 041 506
1500 / kbaron@mandelametro.gov.za/ @kupidobaron).