New NTP chief targets drag racing

The newly appointed chief of the National Traffic Police (NTP), David Tembe, has promised tough action against drunk drivers and drag racers.

Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, Tembe said police would have sustained programmes to tackle the problem.

“I know that drag racing is one of the biggest problems in Tshwane. The problem could not be tackled properly in the past because there were no consistent programmes and projects to address them. We must ensure that there is consistency,” said Tembe.

The former Johannesburg metro police officer, who is credited with the establishment of a number of successful operations in the area, said they would work closely with the SAPS and the Tshwane metro police in an attempt to tackle the drag racing issue.

Tembe said they would also tackle corruption and misconduct in the NTP.

“Too often traffic police are defined by their worst example, not their best. Every act of corruption in the traffic policing fraternity undermines respect for everyone who wears a badge and for the rule of the law,” he said.

Tembe said for the National Traffic Police to succeed, members would be subjected to mandatory random testing which would include polygraph tests.

He added that while he was aware that the results of a polygraph test were not admissible in court or disciplinary proceedings, “there can be no doubt that this is a useful tool in pointing to the right direction where corruption is suspected”.

“As with everything, it cuts both ways and I assure you that the same goes for members of the public who think it is a good idea to bribe traffic police. I wish to take this opportunity to extend a warning to those who feel that it is acceptable to pay bribes to traffic police officers.

“It will prove to be a very bad idea and I urge you not to test my resolve on this issue unless you wish to face the full might of the law,” said Tembe.

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) acting chief executive Collins Letsoalo said Tembe would play a significant role to ensure that the corporation achieved its four-pillar strategy - safe roads, safer road users, safe cars and safe speeds.

“The new chief will lead efforts in law enforcement initiatives within the country and ensure that as lead agency on road safety, we achieve as a country the targets of the Millennium Development Goal and Decade within the four-pillar strategy of the RTMC,” said Letsoalo.

He said the NTP would perform a significant function to ensure that the RTMC achieved and delivered on its mandate which also included the National Rolling Enforcement Plan, the soon-to-be-launched Operation Swara Setagwa (zero tolerance on drunken driving) and the national roll-out of Operation Nomakanjani.

“The days of irresponsible driving are over. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. What Mr Tembe will be doing can only be part of what all of us should be championing - safe roads in South Africa,” he said.

Letsoalo said they would soon launch their drunk driving campaign. They had identified a number of hot spots in the Tshwane area. “Our actions will be concentrated on a number of areas which include Brooklyn, Menlyn and Hatfield.”

He said they would also tackle corruption at a number of driving licence testing centres.

Driving schools would also be targeted.

They would engage the Special Investigating Unit to assist in the fight against corruption.

“We know these hot spots,” said Letsoalo.

He identified Waltloo (Tshwane), Langlaagte (Joburg) and Bushbuckridge as places where corrupt activities had been reported. - Pretoria News