Tshwane, Joburg leading safe cities while Ekurhuleni allows lawlessness
29 May 2017
I have been inundated with calls from Ekurhuleni residents, who day-in and day-out are negatively affected by lawless and dangerous traffic conditions, where private and public transport vehicles break the law in full view of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers. These incidents have become a daily occurrence across the ANC-run metro, especially on the busy Pretoria Road in Benoni.
Despite complaints to the highest levels of the EMPD from residents and Democratic Alliance (DA) Public Representatives, this dangerous situation still continues unabated. In some instances, the EMPD have been party to the reckless and lawless behaviour. This is in stark contrast with the DA-led Tshwane and Johannesburg metros, which have implemented strategies to ensure the safety of commuters and residents in the respective metros.
In Tshwane, Mayor Solly Msimanga’s administration has responded to the concerns of residents who petitioned matters relating to road traffic safety and the visibility of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). Furthermore, the US Embassy has engaged with the Capital in order to facilitate the training of female TMPD officers, as well as consulting in terms of policing, policing management, policing strategies and leadership.
Mayor Herman Mashaba’s Johannesburg administration has committed to training an additional 1 500 Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers in order to ensure that the commuters and residents of the City of Gold are safe and the law is maintained.