Head of Ministry Mr Kabelo Mohibidu
Director responsible for Transport Regulations, Mr Lesego Wolfe
Chief of National Traffic Police, Ms Nontsikelelo Jolingana
Officials from the RTMC
Chief Provincial Inspectors
Chief Municipal Officers
Government Officials
Stakeholders
Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Today we are gathered here in the Diamond City to engage on the National Road Traffic Law Enforcement Code and the Traffic Law Enforcement Review Process, as per the processes of the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s consultations across the country. 

This day, marks a historic moment when we as a Province are tendered a platform for our contributions, concerns and indicate our support for the documents so they can be penned amongst the conclusions of these consultation processes. 

To the RTMC team, welcome to the Province of great extremes with overwhelming heat that has afforded the Province an opportunity to be a renewable energy hub. 

Ladies and gentlemen, with that said, let me once again appreciate the efforts of all law enforcement officers, Chief Provincial Inspectors and Chief Municipal Officers in your continued commitment and resilient display in proving that  Road Safety remains a 365 Days commitment. 

What lies ahead of us today, is a mammoth task that speaks to our commitment and efforts in ensuring safer roads for all and unwavering law enforcement.  This session not only marks the Province’s contributions to the blueprint that will guide and uniform law enforcement across the country but is also a reflection of our democratic government that consults with the people in order to make decisions that are reflective of its people’s wishes and philosophies. 

Looking across the auditorium, I am encouraged to see trailblazers in law enforcement that will help shape the Traffic Law Enforcement Code and the Review of the Traffic Law Enforcement Environment, to reflect the needs of the Province and also close the gaps of the challenges faced in the Province to ensure a strategic direction that speaks to the Province and those serving the people. 

Let us also note the strides this standardization of the fraternity seeks to achieve in addressing disparities that exist in the management, administration and operational guidelines in the various road traffic law enforcement authorities. 

So, satisfy yourselves in molding the path law enforcement should take in capacity building, skills training and law enforcement being viewed as an essential community service that is crucial in saving the lives of road users.  Let us ensure we also bring dignity back to the fraternity and not have all in the field be deemed as an unethical , but be a fraternity were corruption remains intolerable. 

Trailblazers, use this opportunity to make your mark on these documents so that tomorrow you can confidently defend them because they will be reflective of men and women serving in the fraternity.  Echo your burning issues of a desired work space were officials are equally compensated, adequately qualified, that allows maximised career opportunities, empowers the previously disadvantaged and where officials can incorporate state- of-the-art technology in law enforcement. 

As I conclude, allow me to put forth some of the concerns that the Department has noted through engagements from the District and Provincial Traffic in its entirety, such as budget constraints, lack of warm bodies, lack of resources and limited upward mobility. These I am sure will also be echoed by the collective as they put forth their recommendations and concerns.    

Let me also indicate that we should not forget the key focus of the road traffic law enforcement, which is to ensure safer roads for all, encourage road safety and to administer the law without fear or favour.  This fraternity is not primarily to generate revenue but to ensure we all “Arrive Alive”.  Let us continue to work as a collective in ensuring we maximise our efforts and can considerably curb road crashes and fatalities on all our roads.