Immediate dismissal: RTMC CEO warns corrupt traffic officers ahead of Easter travel surge
RTMC CEO has warned traffic officers against corruption ahead of Easter travel surge.
Image: Supplied
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has issued a stern warning to traffic officers ahead of the busy Easter travel period, vowing immediate dismissal for any officials found engaging in bribery, corruption, or misconduct.
In a media statement released Tuesday, RTMC CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi addressed National Traffic Police in Tshwane before their deployment across the country’s major road networks.
He called on officers to uphold discipline and professionalism as traffic volumes are expected to surge over the long weekend.
Msibi emphasised that law enforcement officers have a critical role to play in reducing road fatalities during one of South Africa’s busiest travel seasons. He warned that strict action will be taken against officers who accept bribes, misuse firearms, report for duty under the influence of alcohol, or engage in any other misconduct.
“We cannot allow these people to be among us. You cannot be friends with criminals,” Msibi said, adding that officers who fail to meet the required standards would be dismissed.
At the same time, the RTMC CEO pledged full support for officers who carry out their duties diligently, urging them to help make a meaningful difference in road safety across the country.
Authorities expect heavy traffic from Thursday as travellers leave major industrial hubs for holiday destinations.
The RTMC identified several national routes likely to experience high volumes, including:
- The N1 from Gauteng to Polokwane
- The N3 from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal
- The N14 from Gauteng to Mpumalanga
- The N2 from KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape and from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape
- The N6 linking the Eastern and Western Cape
- The N1 from the Free State to the Western Cape
- The N12 from Gauteng to North West
- The N8 from Bloemfontein to Lesotho
Highly visible law enforcement operations will be deployed along these routes and alternative roads.
Motorists have been urged to obey road rules, avoid alcohol, and refrain from speeding or reckless driving. Drivers are also advised to reduce speed near residential areas to prevent collisions with pedestrians.
Authorities have warned pedestrians to avoid highways, while law enforcement officers have been instructed to remove hitchhikers found along major routes.
Public transport operators will face heavy fines if found transporting passengers in violation of their permits.
The RTMC concluded by reminding all road users that safety is a shared responsibility and begins with individual behaviour on the road.
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