The transport sector is at the heart of the country’s development and road infrastructure must always be in top condition to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.   

The Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport has the responsibility to promote accessibility and the safe, affordable movement of people, goods and services. 

This is done through the delivery and maintenance of transport infrastructure that is sustainable, integrated and environmentally sensitive, and supports and facilitates social empowerment and economic growth.  

The transport sector is at the heart of the country’s development and road infrastructure must always be in top condition to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.  

In recent years there has been an increase in overloading of trucks which has resulted in a marked deterioration in the condition of the Free State’s road network.  

I am pleased that the traffic control centres at Senekal and Kroonstad have been upgraded by SANRAL in partnership with the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport.  

This will certainly go a long way towards curbing the extensive overloading of trucks.  

Drivers of heavy vehicles will be issued a fine if the vehicle exceeds the permissible mass on gross mass and/or axle unit mass.  

Traffic officers are stationed at the traffic control centres to inspect the road worthiness of vehicles on a 24-hour basis.  

Special emphasis is placed on tyres and the braking system. In the quest to integrate transport planning and implementation, a Transport Planning Forum has been launched and I am pleased that SANRAL is represented on this important body. 

Transport directly affects economic growth, quality of life and plays an important role in the dynamics of urban settlements.  

Effective modes of transport, including roads, rail, maritime and air as well as the supporting infrastructure, enable businesses and farmers to get their goods and services to the market in a secure and timely manner and facilitate the movement of the workforce to the most suitable jobs.  

Transport’s multi-disciplinary nature necessitates a comprehensive, intermodal approach and integrated transport planning is, therefore, a positive way to more sustainable transport systems.  

All three spheres of government have a key role in transport planning, implementation and maintenance of transport infrastructure and services.  

However, many of the challenges in South Africa’s transport system are due to a lack of integrated planning by the three spheres of government and the application of a proper transport planning model.  

A single body representing all levels of government will ensure a cohesive transport planning spectrum.  

The Free State Transport Planning Forum will actively and proactively assist, support, guide and monitor all spheres of government in striving towards the transport vision; and create a framework of monitoring private transport operators in order to ensure the attainment of economic inclusion and job creation. 

This is an opinion piece by Sam Mashinini, the Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport.