Thulamela Mayor Athongozwidivha Rambuda issued a stern warning to those who drink and drive, fail to possess the necessary licences, or use unroadworthy vehicles, saying they should expect no mercy from law-enforcement agencies this festive season.
Rambuda was joined by the municipal manager, Masala Makumule, councillors, members of SANTACO in the Vhembe region, and traffic officers when she addressed members of the media on Wednesday, 4 December, in the Thulamela Council Chamber. After the briefing, the group visited the R524 Mvudi Park Road (along the Punda Maria Road), where the 2024 Thulamela Arrive Alive Campaign was officially launched.
The mayor said the aim of the campaign was to ensure compliance with traffic rules, which would ultimately reduce the number of road accidents. She added that, from 4 December, a zero-tolerance policy would be enforced, and any person caught speeding or breaking traffic rules would be dealt with accordingly.
According to Rambuda, the municipality kick-started the Arrive Alive Campaign to ensure safer trips and welcome visitors to the municipality during the festive season. She encouraged motorists to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, always wear seatbelts, and ensure all passengers do the same. "We will fight against the defaulters, and at least 42 officials and department personnel will be hitting the streets of Thulamela in full force," she said.
Rambuda also highlighted stray domestic animals as a contributing factor to the high number of road accidents. "These animals are supposed to be at home or in kraals at night, but instead they are found in the streets. It is a worrying trend in our municipality, where domestic animals are causing accidents because their owners are neglecting them," she said.
The mayor emphasised the municipality's determination to reduce road fatalities this year. "The festive season is supposed to be a happy period where families unite. It should not be a time of losing loved ones as a consequence of untimely deaths," she said.
Rambuda said law enforcers would be especially strict with motorists who drink and drive. "Alcohol consumption is one of the top five causes of carnage on our roads. Most drivers tend to drive recklessly after drinking alcohol," she said.
Thulamela's Manager for Traffic and Law Enforcement, Tshilidzi Nembilwi, said road safety was the responsibility of everyone using the roads. "We must help each other to make our roads a safer place," he said. He noted that causes of road accidents included the poor condition of some roads, and he warned motorists to drive cautiously. He advised drivers to perform pre-trip inspections and said human factors, such as reckless and high-speed driving, were the biggest contributors to road carnage.