[imagesource:skyscrapercity]

The roads in KwaZulu-Natal have descended into utter chaos and destruction, with attacks happening left, right, and centre.

DA KZN spokesperson on transport Sharon Hoosen has called out the state of the provinces’ dire situation, demanding an urgent report from law enforcement to curb the madness before it gets even more out of hand.

“Our province’s roads are under siege. If it’s not trucks being burned, it’s horrific multiple-car pile-ups or brutal attacks on road users,” Hoosen said.

The call was made in writing to KZN transport portfolio committee chairperson Mondli Chiliza in response to the dramatic surge in attacks on Durban’s N2 freeway, reported IOL.

In the letter, headlined “SAPS to report on N2 highway attacks on motorists”, Hoosen said:

“The increase in highway attacks against motorists continues to affect the safety of road users in our province. I note that SAPS has initiated a task team to address these criminal activities, which has also led to a few arrests.

“I write you to request a report to be submitted to the Community Safety Portfolio Committee relating to these incidents. It would be appreciated if the SAPS is able to also report on the successes and challenges.”

The incidents referred to include a motorist who was robbed and stabbed when his vehicle crashed into a barrier on July 17 after rocks were placed on the N2 before Spaghetti Junction (the complicated motorway can be seen in the header image).

There was also a situation with a female victim of rock-throwing on the N2 at the Yellowwood Park Bridge, who, fortunately, managed to continue driving to safety. However, one man was not as lucky, having been killed after a passing vehicle struck him while fleeing from people who had placed rocks on the N2 near Spaghetti Junction.

Another nightmarish ordeal took place when a medical professional was forced to “run for his life” and hide in bushes after he experienced vehicle trouble on the N2 near the same Spaghetti Junction.

Not to mention the free-for-all looting that takes place on a frequent basis, it seems. A video just recently went viral showing a scourge of looting in the city:

The D in Durban Stands for Looting. The looting happened today at Berea center (Durban) pic.twitter.com/mpfPhxp7TA

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux  (@AdvoBarryRoux) July 25, 2023

Hoosen wants SAPS to outline all the challenges they are facing in enforcing law and order on the roads, including a report on the functioning or non-functioning of CCTV cameras, as well as the capability of metro police law enforcement and the number of patrols currently being conducted.

She also pulled the KZN Department of Transport and the eThekwini Municipality Parks and Garden Department into the equation as they are responsible for the road and verge maintenance programme, citing how poor road conditions and overgrown verges contributed to breakdowns and increased criminal activity.

Although SAPS had initiated a task team to address the latest N2 attacks, there had been few arrests to date, she stated.

She finished off by concluding that the province’s ANC government must prioritise the safety of KZN’s people and commit to finding solutions to the carnage on the roads.

[source:iol]