Transport and Public Works
With regard to his announcement of the “Provincial Traffic Restructuring” and the introduction of an “interception unit” and a “highway patrol”:
(1) What is the difference in terms of the function, purpose, mandate and powers of the new “interception unit” compared with the function, purpose, mandate and powers of the provincial “Traffic Law Enforcement Authority” and a “traffic officer” prior to the introduction of the “interception unit”;
(2) what is the difference in terms of the function, purpose, mandate and powers of the new “highway patrol” compared with the function, purpose, mandate and powers of the provincial “Traffic Law Enforcement Authority” and a “traffic officer” prior to the introduction of the “highway patrol”;
(3) whether the “Provincial Traffic Restructuring” and the introduction of an “interception unit” and a “highway patrol” are included in the provincial Traffic Law Enforcement Authority’s integrated strategic and tactical plan as required by the National Road Traffic Law Enforcement Code; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether the introduction of an “interception unit” and a “highway patrol” involves the recruitment and appointment of additional traffic officers or whether these units will be staffed by current employees; if so, how many new traffic officers will be or have been appointed for the “interception unit” and the “highway patrol” respectively;
(5) whether the introduction of an “interception unit” and a “highway patrol” involves the procurement of new and/or additional vehicles and equipment; if so, (a) what are the details of the procurement of new and/or additional vehicles and equipment and (b) what is the budget or cost of the procurement; if not;
(6) whether the vehicles used by the “interception unit” and the “highway patrol” are rebranded existing vehicles of the Traffic Law Enforcement Authority; if so, what is the cost of the rebranding?
(1) The restructuring of Provincial Traffic Services acknowledges that the function, purpose, mandate and powers of Traffic Law Enforcement (TLE) have included combatting crime for many years, and are not strictly limited to traffic management and road safety. The Provincial Traffic Services have always patrolled our high ways and have been instrumental in the arrests of numerous criminals from drug dealers to smugglers. The change also acknowledges the role that new technologies, especially license plate recognition, can play in enhancing this element of Traffic Law Enforcement to help protect Western Cape communities from criminals. The re-positioning of Provincial Traffic Services thus enhances an existing function rather than re-creates or replaces other elements TLE’s mandate. The Interception Unit will primarily focus on the interception of vehicles identified as being suspicious, for example vehicles with cloned license plates. The Interception Unit will be manned by traffic officers who will receive additional training.
(2) The restructuring of Provincial Traffic Services acknowledges that the function, purpose, mandate and powers of Traffic Law Enforcement (TLE) have included combatting crime for many years, and are not strictly limited to traffic management and road safety. The Provincial Traffic Services have always patrolled our high ways, and have been instrumental in the arrests of numerous criminals from drug dealers to smugglers. The change also acknowledges the role that new technologies, especially license plate recognition, can play in enhancing this element of Traffic Law Enforcement to help protect Western Cape communities from criminals. The re-positioning of Provincial Traffic Services thus enhances an existing function rather than re-creates or replaces other elements TLE’s mandate. The Highway Patrol Unit will primarily focus on patrolling our highways including intercepting vehicles that are identified as suspicious.
(3) The development of the Highway Patrol and its Interception Unit is an integral component of the Provincial Sustainable Transport Plan currently under development by the Branch: Transport Management, it should be noted that the National Road Traffic Law Enforcement Code is in draft form and not yet in effect. In any event the National Road Traffic Law Enforcement Code in its current form is an unconstitutional attempt to nationalise provincial traffic services and municipal police and traffic services. In addition, the code does not comply with its own founding provisions in Section 32 of the Road Traffic Management Corporation Act (1999).
(4) All TLE officers will be responsible for Highway Patrol duties however, the Interception Unit officers will be recruited from the ranks of Provincial Traffic. Budget dependant we hope to recruit additional traffic officers.
(5) (a) The Interception Unit will be equipped with an additional five BMW X5 Utility Vehicles. One vehicle is being repurposed while four further vehicles will be procured. The Interception Unit members will be equipped with body armour and pistol convertors to provide them with additional protection and firepower in the event of an interception involving dangerous criminals.
(b) R6 011 340 in additional funding will be required for the procurement of additional vehicles and equipment.
(6) The Interception Unit will use specialist vehicles, while the remainder of the Highway Patrol will continue to use existing vehicle stock. The cost of branding/re-branding of existing vehicles will cost approximately R8 000 000.
