Premier Phumulo Masualle issued a warning yesterday to all road users – both drivers and pedestrians – to comply with the rules of the road or face the consequences.He described the province as “a labour sending area” and as a result “we will be welcoming scores of people visiting their families for Christmas holidays”.
“We urge motorists to plan their trips and allow enough travelling time as almost all the routes leading to the province are currently under construction,” he said.
This week alone, several fatal accidents have claimed the lives of many on Eastern Cape roads, including five occupants of an Opel Corsa which overturned during the early hours of yesterday morning.
“The behaviour of motorists remains a grave concern, as we note a series of horror accidents occurring on some of our roads,” Masualle said.
This was part of the Premier’s Christmas message to all Eastern Cape residents and visitors who are here to enjoy the province’s picturesque towns and beaches.
Masualle said the provincial government had also taken steps to ensure the safety of everyone visiting the beaches. He urged beachgoers to be vigilant and observe the rules.
There have been several shark attacks in the past few years at Second Beach in Port St Johns, and criminal elements have been terrorising beachgoers near Leaches Bay, and Eastern Beach near the Esplanade.
Three Austrian tourists were robbed at knife-point along a notorious stretch of Eastern Beach in July.
The Dispatch reported at the time that Anna Vaclavek, 20, Micha Pilz, 21, and Lukas Pichler, 22, were in the dunes east of the lifeguard shack when they were robbed by three thugs armed with knives.
The robbery took place not far from the dunes where former SABC head advocate Dali Mpofu was attacked and two Swedish tourists were raped in 2012.
“As the government we have taken steps to ensure the safety of everyone visiting our beaches,” Masualle said.
“We have deployed law enforcement officers on both our roads and beaches.
“We have ensured essential services such as traffic control, police, health and emergency workers have special arrangements to ensure the safety of everyone.”
Another main concern was substance abuse and the possible rise in unwanted pregnancies over Christmas and New Year festivities.
He said an ongoing awareness programme, presented for the government by social development, was aimed at discouraging “unbecoming behaviour” during this festive season.
“On behalf of the people of our province, we welcome all the visitors to our beautiful province. We wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,” he said.
Safety key in premier’s Christmas message
He described the province as “a labour sending area” and as a result “we will be welcoming scores of people visiting their families for Christmas holidays”.
“We urge motorists to plan their trips and allow enough travelling time as almost all the routes leading to the province are currently under construction,” he said.
This week alone, several fatal accidents have claimed the lives of many on Eastern Cape roads, including five occupants of an Opel Corsa which overturned during the early hours of yesterday morning.
“The behaviour of motorists remains a grave concern, as we note a series of horror accidents occurring on some of our roads,” Masualle said.
This was part of the Premier’s Christmas message to all Eastern Cape residents and visitors who are here to enjoy the province’s picturesque towns and beaches.
Masualle said the provincial government had also taken steps to ensure the safety of everyone visiting the beaches. He urged beachgoers to be vigilant and observe the rules.
There have been several shark attacks in the past few years at Second Beach in Port St Johns, and criminal elements have been terrorising beachgoers near Leaches Bay, and Eastern Beach near the Esplanade.
Three Austrian tourists were robbed at knife-point along a notorious stretch of Eastern Beach in July.
The Dispatch reported at the time that Anna Vaclavek, 20, Micha Pilz, 21, and Lukas Pichler, 22, were in the dunes east of the lifeguard shack when they were robbed by three thugs armed with knives.
The robbery took place not far from the dunes where former SABC head advocate Dali Mpofu was attacked and two Swedish tourists were raped in 2012.
“As the government we have taken steps to ensure the safety of everyone visiting our beaches,” Masualle said.
“We have deployed law enforcement officers on both our roads and beaches.
“We have ensured essential services such as traffic control, police, health and emergency workers have special arrangements to ensure the safety of everyone.”
Another main concern was substance abuse and the possible rise in unwanted pregnancies over Christmas and New Year festivities.
He said an ongoing awareness programme, presented for the government by social development, was aimed at discouraging “unbecoming behaviour” during this festive season.
“On behalf of the people of our province, we welcome all the visitors to our beautiful province. We wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,” he said.
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