POLITICAL NEWS - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape condemns the spate of recent attacks on Western Cape traffic officials. 

This comes after a provincial traffic officer from George, Janneké Bergman (29), was allegedly shot by a man from Khayelitsha, Bonginkosi Ndevu (28) on Friday 7 August and another traffic officer was run over and killed by a taxi driver during a routine roadblock in Khayelitsha.

Bergman was shot twice, in the knee and face. She is currently recovering in hospital.

In a press release that was sent out earlier today, the political party said these incidents have raised red flags about the rise in attacks on Western Cape traffic officials.

“The rise in attacks on our traffic and transport frontline staff is of grave concern and must come to an end immediately. These officials put their lives at risk on a daily basis and should be supported for the work they do, made all the more challenging during the current pandemic,” said MPP Daylin Mitchell, DA Western Cape’s committee spokesperson on transport and public works.

“The attacks on transport frontline staff have the potential to hinder the progress that the province continues to make in supporting safe transport of those utilising public quarantine and isolation facilities, as well as our healthcare workers. As protests have also dramatically increased during the nationwide lockdown, attacks on traffic and transport officials have become an all too common sight.

“I call on all residents and stakeholders to fully cooperate with transport officials. This includes the SAPS, which must offer more support and coordination with Western Cape provincial traffic officials as well as their Metro counterparts. It is our collective duty to work with transport and traffic officials to create a safer environment for all residents within the Western Cape,” said Mitchell.

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