Day: December 22, 2022

With the Christmas weekend fast approaching, KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has urged motorists and road users to adjust their driving and be extra cautious to prevent the loss of lives.

The call follows two major crashes that took place in the province, leaving 12 people dead over the weekend.

The department reported that the first accident involving a minibus taxi and a truck, happened at the Bergville intersection on the N3.

Seven people were killed, while other occupants sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

“Preliminary reports suggest that a minibus driver lost control and veered towards the direction of a truck,” Hlomuka said.

In a separate accident, five people lost their lives on the N2 when a Toyota Fortuner collided with an Opel Corsa near Galleria Mall at Amanzimtoti. A team of forensic investigators is currently investigating the possible causes of both accidents.

“The investigation will also look [into] driver behaviour, roadworthiness of the vehicles, vehicle licences, and drivers’ licences. The torrential weather could not be ruled out in some of the two accidents, however, the Department of Transport has appealed to road users to adjust their driving and be extra cautious,” Hlomuka said.

As part of the plan for the long weekend, the department embarked on many proactive plans to reduce the levels of crashes, and “it is unacceptable that 12 people lost their lives on the road.”

The MEC has extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“As we are approaching the Christmas weekend, we will improve deployment of traffic police in strategic areas and we also appeal to road users to work with us,” Hlomuka said.

Emergency numbers to call when you need assistance:

• Police 10111

• Fire 10177

• Ambulance 10177

• Arrive Alive Call Centre 0861 400 800

• Emer-G-Med 0861 007 911

• Accident & Breakdown Towing 0860 911 326

• Netcare 911 082 911

• ER24 084 124

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African Government is deeply concerned about the scheduled executions of seven students at Dagon University by the military in Myanmar.

In a statement on Wednesday, the South African Government urged the Myanmar military authorities to uphold their international obligations to promote and protect human rights, including the protection of the right to life.

“We call for the release of all those detained in relation to the exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

“The scheduled executions continue to threaten the already remote possibility of a sustainable political dialogue agreed to in 2021 in the Five-Point Consensus between ASEAN and the military,” DIRCO said in a statement.

The seven students were sentenced by a military court for their alleged involvement in a shooting in April that killed a former military officer.

They are among more than 130 people put on death row since the military seized power in a coup last year, according to the United Nations.

South Africa further calls on the military and all parties involved to negotiate a peaceful resolution of their differences and bring about reconciliation in Myanmar.

“South Africa will continue supporting the United Nations and its respective agencies, as well as regional mechanisms such as ASEAN in their mediation efforts, to sustain the democratic transition of Myanmar which can ensure equality, dignity, human rights, and the full inclusion of all in its national development towards lasting peace and stability and sustained development to the benefit of the people of Myanmar,” the statement read.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Acting Group CEO Hisham Emeran has welcomed the huge demand for long-distance bus and train services as the agency gears up for holiday travel at various intermodal stations.

Emeran said the high volume of passengers is an indication that holiday travel is gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels.

“This is a huge relief for the business given the devastating blow we were dealt with during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also an indication of the importance of intermodal passenger travel.

“As a business, we aspire for our stations to be convenient integrated one-stop facilities for travel, shopping, while providing for fast-food restaurants for people on the go. We also hope that our customers enjoy the new improvements at our stations and the retail experience,” he said.

During this season, between 200 000 and 300 000 people move through Park Station per day, making it one of the biggest and busiest stations on the continent.

“As a result, our intermodal stations, Park Station and Pretoria Station have ramped up their operational plans and improved terminal capacity to meet the pressure of the high volume of passengers especially in the last days leading-up to Christmas,” PRASA said on Thursday.

In keeping up with the demands for long-distance bus travel, Park Station has created a new terminus for five new bus operators, bringing the total number of bus operators at the station to 24, while access points are being rehabilitated at Pretoria Station to alleviate traffic congestion.

“The increase in passengers also provides economic opportunities for informal traders and porters. Park Station remains a vital space to sustain the livelihoods and survival of the informal economy.

“Thus, plans have been put in place to manage and support porters and informal traders while ensuring a safe environment for passengers and patrons,” PRASA said.

Retail experience

Park Station has welcomed more retailers for the convenience of last minute shopping for travellers and the general public.

“Patrons and travellers can also look forward to the festive look and feel of the station in celebration of Christmas and for their enjoyment. Visitors can also create meaningful Christmas memories as photo booths have been introduced at various parts of Park Station,” PRASA said.

Other plans include the maintenance and repairs of facilities, and the installation of eight brand new energy-efficient, high-tech, high-spec escalators at Park Station to ensure that travellers and patrons have a pleasant experience.

Safety and security

The safety and security of travellers and patrons remains a key priority for PRASA.

“Our security plans have been bolstered with an adjusted security plan and more resources to meet the additional travellers and their safety.

“Security announcements are being made to alert travellers to be vigilant. Lastly, our visible patrols are more frequent throughout the day and night,” PRASA Acting Head of Security Alexio Papadopulo said.

The creation of the additional terminus for the new bus operators allow for a safe, controlled and orderly space for passengers and the operators.

Long-distance passenger services

The agency has also seen a huge demand for its long-distance passenger services.

On Friday, Shosholoza Meyl will be offering its last service for the year for the Musina and Queenstown, Eastern Cape routes.

Both train services are fully booked, but remain open for bookings in the new year.

Meanwhile, with over 100 destinations throughout South Africa, Autopax bus operators, Translux and City to City, will be running services at full capacity and remain fully booked.

“PRASA would like to advise travellers to plan ahead their journeys, prepare for long queues, and make sure they arrive promptly at the stations for a smoother journey. This week will see a huge surge of people heading for various holiday destinations.

“The Agency is pleased to remain at the forefront of an integrated transport system that responds to the needs of the economy and diverse demands of the public including offering convenient multimodal transport options to reach their final destinations,” PRASA said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Department of Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla says the processing of the disbursement of the Military Veterans pension benefit will commence early next year.

Makwetla was speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.

“The process to roll out the pension pay-out will commence after the lapse of the 30 days tabling in Parliament. The department will in the meantime take in applications and process them accordingly through the government pension processes and system,” he said.

Makwetla explained that administrative processes delayed the implementation of the decision to provide members of the non-statutory forces with pension benefits.

It was previously announced that the pensions disbursement would begin by 1 December.

“[In] the process of the implementation of this decision we were confronted with unavoidable administrative processes which resulted in the delay in the payment of the pension benefits. One of these was the requirement that the Draft Pension Regulations and the Pension Benefit Access form should be tabled in Parliament.

“These were tabled in Parliament early in December 2022. This will in turn legalise the operationalisation of the pension pay-out to military veterans,” he said.

The Deputy Minister reiterated government’s commitment to providing pension benefits for those who served in liberation armies.

He added that the department is “working around the clock” to ensure that the pension benefit is disbursed as soon as possible.

“We want to reassure the community of military veterans and reiterate to them that the Government remains fully committed to the provision of the pension benefit to military veterans and has begun the necessary administrative processes.

“Government is fully conscious and aware of the financial challenges facing military veterans particularly in the current difficult economic times, characterised by poor economic growth, joblessness and persistent poverty,” he said.

Makwetla said in order to avoid any further delays, military veterans are requested to register with the department.

“A fully completed Military Veterans Pension benefit application form should be accompanied by an identity document and certified birth/marriage/partnership certificate and service certificate clearly indicating the force number.

“Military veterans are urged to apply in person or through registered post. The correct address must be specified on the appropriate form, which can be found on the DMV website and provincial offices,” he said.

Meanwhile, Makwetla announced that military veterans will now be allowed to access the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.

“The Presidential Task Team (PTT) has taken a decision that military veterans should be paid the Social Relief of Distress support amount of R1250.00 per month to augment their pension pay-out during the current challenging economic situation.

“This will be a significant improvement on the previous R350.00 social relief support paid to veterans. The department should find alternative ways to implement such support in an effective and equitable manner to ensure that all those eligible do benefit,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency