Rustenburg Municipality’s traffic officers pledge support to Road Safety Scholar Patrollers

Law enforcement officers from the Rustenburg Local Municipality have assured the Road Safety Patrollers within the jurisdiction of unwavering support in the broader mission to ensure that learners cross roads safely. This was and undertaking made at the Rustenburg leg of the Bojanala District inductions, where 22 patrollers received formal work training.

Given the challenges that come during interaction with road users and ensuring a smooth flow of traffic. Supretendent Sarah Ngwasheng says they will constantly maximise visibility at different points especially during peak hours.

“We are here as colleagues to offer our support, we understand the challenges that come with your work and we are ready to assist in every way. This is important because all of us have a role to play in the realisation of reduced road incidents especially when it comes to pedestrians.

“We will patrol the points within the municipal boundaries so that we assist especially where there are emergencies or unforeseen challenges such as non compliance by motorists”, said Ngwasheng.

Previously a high number of incidents led to fatalities of learners hit by vehicles while trying to cross the road. It is for this reason that the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management in partnership with the stakeholders established a scholar patrol program.

Through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), the department continues to contract young people and unemployed adults across the province as scholar patrollers to assist learners at pedestrian crossings.

For this financial year, the department has contracted about 140 scholar patrollers and is currently embarking on induction programmes.

—ENDS—