2 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 18 December 2020 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V EArrive alive at your destinationOfficers are out in full force tocurb the rate of road collisionsABONGILES O L U N D WA N ACellphone headsets aresaid to be one of thereasons why sevenpedestrians were killed in roadcollisions last month — 25people died in the province.This was revealed at the2020 Festive Season Arrive AliveCampaign launched bytransport MEC, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, on the N6 nearKomani on Friday.Tikana-Gxothiwe called onroad users — motorists inparticular — to work with lawenforcement officers to curb therate of accidents on thep r ov i n c e ’s roads.The MEC said road userswho disregarded the rules of theroad would be dealt with.“The department isexpecting the delivery ofnumber plate recognitionsystem buses over the weekendto add to our efforts so thatmotorists have accessible waysof paying fines. Komani is astrategic place where taxiscoming on the R61 from theWestern Cape and the N6 fromGauteng converge,” saidTi k a n a - G x o t h i w e .EC transport departmentspokesperson Unathi Binqosesaid the purpose of thecampaign was to make surethose travelling long distancesvia the N6 would arrive safely attheir destinations.A part of their mission was toensure motorists complied withCovid-19 regulations such asthe wearing of face masks andusing hand sanitisers invehicles, as failure to do sowould lead to penalties.“We are reassessingoperating licences for publictransportation and shuttleservices because these are someof the reasons why fights eruptin the public transport industry.“We are inspecting vehiclesfor roadworthiness asunroadworthy vehicles oftenlead to road accidents.“We are sending a messageto passengers to call out driverswhen they drive recklessly.”Last year’s road collisionstatistics in the Eastern Caperecorded 81 road deaths, downfrom 102 in 2019.Binqose said the hope wasfor zero accidents which was atough call.ENSURING COMPLIANCE: Transport department MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe interactingwith a taxi driver at a roadblock on the N6 just outside Komani during the 2020 Festive SeasonArrive Alive Campaign launch on Friday Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA“If I have managed to surviveevery December, the same ispossible for others.”Although collisionshappened almost daily, Binqosesaid the department’s focus wason those resulting in fatalities.What was rarely spokenabout, according to him, wasthe harsh reality of the impactroad collisions had on survivors.“For every person who diesin a road accident there are atleast three or four whose livesare tragically affected. They❝We are sending amessage topassengers to call outdrivers when theydrive recklesslyeither become wheelchairboundor sustain internalinjuries with long-term healtheffects. Accidents also createpressure on the road accidentf u n d ,” Binqose said.There were people who, hesaid, were making fun of thosewho deliberately got themselvesinvolved in accidents with theaim to cash in on the roadaccident fund. A gamble whichcould lead to their death.Binqose said people shouldget this out of their minds andinstead to preserve their lives.“Not all people are recklessdrivers. A collision means oneof the drivers was wrong. Peopleneed to remember that roads areshared spaces. There is atendency for passengers not touse safety belts in publictransport. They think they areonly meant for the front seats.Many people end up losing theirlives when they are flung out ofthe vehicle.”Motorists should also neveroperate phones while driving,Binqose said.BEEF CHUCKPORK KNUCKLES & STEWMUTTON STEWBBQ BRAAIWORSPORK BANGERS 100% PURE PORKCHICKEN NECKSCHICKEN LIVERSSTORK 1KGNOLA MAYONNAISE 3KGSASKO CAKE FLOUR 2.5KGGREEN PEPPERS LOOSER69.99 KGR44.99 KGR78.99 KGR29.99 KGR69.99 KGR14.99 KGR16.99 KGR38.99 EAR99.99 EAR24.99 EAR12.99 KGWE ARE OPENSUNDAY THE20TH DECEMBERSPECIALSVALID FORTHE 18 TH ,19 TH AND20 THDECEMBERE&OE-WHILESTOCKS LAST.LIMITEDQUANTITIES.WE RESERVETHE RIGHT TOWITHDRAWSPECIALSWITHOUT NOTICETo our valued Customers. We wish you a delightful holiday with family andfriends, full of peace, laughter, and love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!TRADING HOURS OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON:20th December (Sunday) – Open 08:00 to 13:0025th , 26th , 27th December - Closed¿24 Prince Alfred Street, Komani PO Box 453, Komani, 5319 045 839 4040 / Fax: 045 839 4059 Chris van Heerden, vanheerdenc@arena.africaLuvuyo Mjekula, mjekulal@therep.co.zaCharodine Visagie, charodinev@therep.co.zawww.therep.co.za@RepKomaniThe Rep Komanithe_rep_komaniThe Rep subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and OnlineMedia that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live upŽŚĞŽĚĞŝŚŝŶĚĂŽĨŚĞĚĂĞŽĨďůŝĐĂŽŶŽĨŚĞŵĂĞŝĂůůĞĂĞĐŽŶĂĐŚĞďůŝĐĚŽĐĂĞĂĨĂŽĐĂŶĂůŽĐŽŶĂĐŽĂĞĸĐĞŽŶŬŚĂŶŝŵΛŽŵďĚŵĂŶŽŐĂŽůŽĚŐĞĂĐŽŵůĂŝŶŽŶŽĞďŝĞĞĐŽŶĐŝůŽŐĂKomani police andCPF act on Covid-19 complianceMONDAY18 JANUARY 2021Dr Christiane Practice (Wendy)41 Grey Street, 045 838 1671Dave 083 460 6503OLIVET COLLEGEAd vitam paramusNo. 7 - 9 SCANLEN STREET, QUEENSTOWN.TEL: 045 838 2072 FAX: 086 424 62792021 ADMISSIONS OPENGrade RFoundation Phase (Grades 1 – 3)Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 – 6)Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)Senior Secondary – Grade 10¿from 07H30 till 13H30.ZINTLE BOBELOAs President Cyril Ramaphosa tightenedrestrictions on Monday amid the rising numberof Covid-19 cases in the province, the policetogether with the community policing forum(CPF) invaded the streets of Komani at theweekend in an operation that sought to flattenthe curve.Police spokesperson captain NamhlaMdleleni indicated that liquor outlets wereviewed as a contributing factor in the rapidCovid-19 transmissions.She said a number of outlets were visited tocheck compliance in an operation led by Vispolcommander, colonel Loyiso Ngalo.“27 suspects were arrested; two for drunkdriving and 25, including a minor, were arrestedfor failing to confine themselves to their places ofr e s i d e n c e .”Mdleleni said they appeared before theQueenstown magistrate’s court on Monday.“We will not tolerate irresponsible behaviourof residents who do not comply with the disastermanagement act regulations as they are placingthe entire community at risk,” said Ngalo.Newly elected CPF chairperson MihleGogela said the operation followed appealsmade by the forum to the station commanderafter noticing that people were not adhering tothe Covid-19 regulations.“People are letting their guard down. Theyare living as if Covid-19 does not exist. In ourregular patrols, we try our best to enforce thelaw. We have seen groups gather in CathcartRoad and while the numbers are increasing,crime takes its toll in the area. We do not want toget to the state that Nelson Mandela Bay isfacing. People, especially females, who are seenwalking in the streets after the curfew becometargets of crime.”Gogela, who commended Ngalo for hisdedication, indicated that the operation had hada huge impact. He puts himself in the forefrontand leads by example. I admire his truededication, for engaging with the CPF and formaking great strides in the Queenstown station. Icommend the other members for the successfulo p e ra t i o n .”Chris Hani district commissioner, majorgeneral Funeka Siganga, said people were likelyto suffer adverse events.“These range from fights to crashes caused byexcitement that may lead to the misuse andabuse of substance, especially alcohol.Therefore, please do not drink and drive.“We are faced with the challenge of apandemic so we need to practise caution. Wearmasks. Sanitise and wash your hands. Officialswill be out on the ground to secure ourcommunity and work together in fighting crime.”
THE REPRESENTATIVE 18 December 2020 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 3