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Award presentation and end of year function
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Safety Liaison and Transport

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 EASTERN  CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY THE MEC FOR PROVINCIAL SAFETY, LIAISON AND TRANSPORT
 DELIVERED AT THE AWARD PRESENTATION AND END OF THE 1999 YEAR FUNCTION
 ON THE 26TH NOVEMBER 1999



Chairperson
 Dr Mkosana  Head of Department
 Members of the Provincial Legislature
Management and Officials of all government departments
 Distinguished guests
 Members of the Media
 Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here today to celebrate on achievements as well as present and express to a few certificates of recognition value to them. 
We pledge to continue doing so annually and as the time and conditions will allow.

A few days from today heralds the beginning of the festive season. Schools all over the country will close their academic doors for the 
year and business will start preparing for a millenium shut down. Our people in their millions from all walks of life will be gearing 
themselves up for the celebrations of the Century, the African Century.

For all our law enforcement officers all over the Province and for us in the Department of Transport, provincial and local government 
alike, it is time for work. It is time to work, and some times overtime not only in monetary terms but also in terms of guaranteeing that 
our road network will be safe to facilitate a smooth entry into the 21st Century. My department and I, together with all Transport 
officials wish to call all road users to join the partnership against road carnage. In partnership we will ensure that an accident-free 
season becomes a reality in the history of our country.

Im calling for this partnership because South Africa and our province in particular has a bad road traffic accident record. The shocking 
statistics of the past years told their own story; with thousands killed and scores others seriously injured. We remembered loved ones we 
will never see again because their lives were cut short on roads. Others are in wheelchairs or lie comatose in a hospital bed and so they 
will be for the rest of their lives. We remember victims of the recent Bus Accident at the Kei-Cuttings scores of our young rural youth 
were injured and +-19 died in that accident.

As a nation we must not and cannot tolerate all these unnecessary accidents. Last Monday the Minister and MECs from KwaZulu Natal, 
Gauteng and Eastern Cape launched the current phase of the Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign with specific emphasis on Drinking and 
Driving. At the launch it was restated that alcohol is a drug which affects the central nervous system resulting in cognitive and 
psychomotor impairment. It is very dangerous to drive under the influence of liquor because you may have to live for the rest of your life 
with the knowledge that your irresponsible behaviour cost the life of another person, a parent or child. It could also mean your own death 
or permanent disability, paralysis, brain damage or loss of limbs. Drinking and Driving transforms you into a potential killer.

I therefore issue a word of caution to all drivers in our roads throughout the Province who get in their cars after consuming alcohol that 
the joint operation of the police and our offices will when stopping you, arrest you immediately and you will be charged and tried for a 
serious criminal offence. Once you are found guilty you will have a criminal record in addition to being severely punished. Your name will 
be published in the media.

All road users should also be warned that while our attention will be on alcohol, other traffic offences will NOT be overlooked.

Chairperson, we must be guided by the 6 Road Safety Commandments of Arrive Alive which all of you should observe. These are:

1.  Dont Drink and Drive

2.  Dont Speed

3.  Dont Overload

4.  Insist on driver and vehicle fitness

5.  Wear your seatbelt and

6.  Promote Pedestrian Safety

Chairperson, I also wish to announce that Traffic Law Enforcement Agencies at local and provincial level are embarking on an aggressive law 
enforcement campaign which will include visible policing, speed timing, static & roving road blocks.

Camera speed law enforcement will be intensified on our major routes. All Provinces have concurred with the Minister on the implementation 
of the 100km/h. Both the bus and taxi industries have agreed that the speed limit for their vehicles will be reduced to 100km/h in place of 
the 120km/h where applicable. The Minister is able to go ahead with the promulgation process and will announce that on Friday, 26 November 
1999 this will be done from which date the new speed limit rule will be strictly enforced. It must be noted that the speed limit for truck 
will remain uncharged at 80km/h.

Apart from the standard ongoing traffic law enforcement on the national and other main routes, intensified operations will be carried out 
all over the county. Let me share with you some of our plans.

I want to encourage both drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts when undertaking either short on long distance trips. A proposal 
for the installation of seatbelts on our inter-city busses and luxury coaches is currently under investigation. I favour such a step but 
its feasibility and practical implementation through co-operation through co-operation with stakeholders are being considered.

Chairperson allow me at this juncture to express appreciation to all the law enforcement officers, men and women for their dedicated work 
and service to the Province and encourage those that do need that. Most of them will not be with their families for the holidays and 
celebrations but looking after the safety or road users. To all of you and your families a big thank you for your commitment and hard work. 
Permit me also to express our sincere condolences to the families of those officers who lost their lives in the course of duty. We also 
remember those who suffered injuries and wish them a speedy recovery.

HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

Chairperson

We are at this time of this century all aware of the devastating effects that HIV/AIDS have on our society. The death and suffering it 
causes on those who have been contaminated, the resultant effect on kids and family members who lose their loved ones is felt all over the 
country and our Province in particular.

Today we want to announce to all that the Department of Transport is launching its HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. I invite all each and every 
one of you to get involved in this campaign. It is my honour to declare this campaign launched.

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