AfriForum demands thorough intervention at dangerous Parys intersection, while municipality only does half a job

The AfriForum branch in Parys has made an urgent request to the Ngwathe Local Municipality to take immediate action at the dangerous intersection of Bree and Van Coller Street, where a fatal accident recently claimed two lives.

In a letter to the municipal manager, Dr Futhuli Mothamaha, on 25 July, AfriForum warned that the current condition of these traffic lights is not only a breach of legal responsibilities but also poses a direct threat to public safety. Since AfriForum’s letter was sent, the Ngwathe Municipality has taken action.

In Bree Street, the traffic light on the right for motorists coming from Vredefort was damaged in the accident and out of order, while the traffic light on the left was crooked, difficult to see and partially dysfunctional. After continued pressure from AfriForum and others, the Municipality re-erected these traffic lights on Friday afternoon. However, the traffic light on the right is still not in working condition. Thus, no traffic light for motorists entering Parys from Vredefort is currently working properly, causing great confusion and danger to life.

Furthermore, the frequent power outages exacerbate the situation, as no traffic officers are deployed to control traffic while the traffic lights are not working.

In the letter, AfriForum demands that the damaged traffic lights at Bree and Van Coller Streets be completely repaired and replaced; the deployment of traffic officers during load shedding or power outages; and the installation of temporary or permanent stop signs, as permitted by Regulation 323 of the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2000.

AfriForum also refers to Section 96 of the National Road Traffic Act, which places the duty on local authorities to ensure safe and effective traffic regulation. The organisation warned that continued failure to fulfil this responsibility could be considered a gross neglect of statutory duties.

“Two people have already died. Every day that passes without action puts the lives of more people at risk,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River. “We are ready to enter into discussions with the Municipality but will not hesitate to apply legal action or public pressure if immediate action is not taken,” concludes Pretorius.

According to Schalk Burger, AfriForum’s branch Chairperson in Parys, motorists approaching Parys from Vredefort cannot see that there is a traffic light at all and the traffic light on the corner of Father Balink (formerly Kruis Street) and Loop Street is just as dangerous because it almost never works. “It is incomprehensible why these life-threatening conditions are not immediately addressed,” concludes Burger.

To join the branch, contact Burger on 082 653 4281.