REMARKS BY MEC BENTLEY G VASS AT THE HANDING OVER OF UNIFORM FOR TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

Date: Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Venue: Padwerke Offices of the DTSL

Time: 07:30

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The Head of Department of Transport Safety and Liaison Mr. Rodney Pieterse,

Head of Ministry Mr Mbekushe,

Acting Director for Transport Regulations, Mma Joka,

Managers in the Directorate and Acting Station Manager at the Kimberley Station,

All our traffic officers here today, all our colleagues,

Good Morning,

We are here this morning, for the official handing over of the uniform to you. You are an important component of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.

We are here this morning, for the official hand over because we are a caring employer and a government that listen to our employees and respond to concerns raised.

The issue of the uniform was raised by organized labour in my meeting with them and I know it was raised with MECs that were here before me as well.

Colleagues, I am sure all of us agree that road traffic law enforcement, is a very noble profession that actually relates to selfless service by our men and women in blue.

With this occasion we want to show you that we really appreciate the work you are doing to keep our roads safe.

We continue to commit ourselves to address all your concerns step by step.

In the end we would have addressed a significant number of the challenges that you have raised over the years, by working together.

Our valuable employees gathered here today I need to assure you that the government of the Northern Cape and indeed the people of the province appreciate the work you are doing.

HOD, a wise man once said, “A happy employee is a productive employee”.

Different companies use different mechanisms for keeping their employees happy and motivated. While raising wages will always make employees happy, there are different ways you can ensure their happiness.

Providing the right tools of trade is one of the things that employers can do to make employees happy.

Acting Chief, as we hand over this uniform to your team, we are saying wear it with pride and when you are in this uniform, you do not only represent yourself, but you represent the Northern Cape Provincial Government.

By wearing this uniform, proudly so, the initial first impression you give is a sense of trust and credibility.

It projects professionalism and a sense of being part of a team, whilst also promoting our brand of disciplined traffic officials, whose key mandate is to ensure safer roads for our motorists and our pedestrians alike.

Colleagues, we will ensure that you have the necessary uniform you need at all times, we must ensure that the vehicles and other equipment you use is in good condition.

HOD, has shared with me that the Department has finalized a draft uniform policy which is being processed administratively, so that we have a clear policy for uniform which we can all commit to and implement.

We must take care of the limited resources we have so that we are able to increase on what we have.

We can’t allow our employees to continue performing their duties without the required equipment, and expect all of you and your colleagues to perform to the best of your ability.

Once more we request from you to allow management to work on the concerns you raised. All your issues remain valid.

We know you still have issues like, suitable working conditions at some of the traffic stations that we must address.

We are currently in the Safer Festive Season Road Safety Campaign; we rely on all of you to keep the roads of the Northen Cape Safe during this period and beyond. Please continue to perform your duties with respect and diligence.

Soon we will introduce brand new recruits to all of you, please set an example for them. Guide them to do the correct thing at all times.

We would also encourage you to please avoid the issue of ‘’cold drink money’’ – we cannot be famous for the wrong things – we are law enforcement officers – therefore we must be the first ones to ensure that the law is not broken.

As professionals, let us not bring shame to this noble profession, because when we break the law, it will catch up with us.

Protect yourself when you are on the open roads, please do not put your lives in danger. I have complete trust in all of you to uphold the good name of the road traffic law enforcement.

I am looking forward to embarking on several operations with you over this festive season, for us to ensure that we achieve our - EDWARD – Every Day Without A Road Death!

I thank you