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The IFP calls for urgent intervention from the KZN MEC of Transport, Mxolisi Kaunda to assist the Msunduzi Traffic Police Department as the current leadership has dismally failed in addressing the lawlessness prevalent in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.

The MEC's urgent intervention will curb many traffic problems. Pietermaritz Street has been reduced to a single lane after taxis abandoned the taxi rank in the basement of the Professor Nyembezi Centre and relocated to the streets in protest at the alleged failure by the Municipality to fix leaking pipes. The fumigation has also not be done adding to taxi operators woes. Despite these valid concerns, their lawless behaviour on the roads cannot be condoned as it will contribute to unnecessary road accidents and deaths.

Taxis in the Pietermaritzburg CBD do as they please as Metro Police seem to have no control. It cannot be business as usual and we cannot allow taxi drivers to hold our province to ransom just because they consider themselves 'untouchable'. This attitude must be brought to an end .

We want leadership in the Msunduzi Traffic Police Department to act decisively in addressing these critical issues. Law and order must be restored as soon as possible in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.

The Traffic Officers who are afraid to uphold law and order  have no place in the Msunduzi Traffic Police Department. As Law enforcement officers they must know that they need to take decisions which may not be favourable to everyone but fair and necessary.
 
Every road user has a right to access every road in the Pietermaritzburg  CBD and the MEC must act swiftly and effectively in ensuring that lawlessness on our roads  do not prevail unabated.

Issued by IFP