Mbombela - Mpumalanga authorities are on a drive to root out traffic offenders this coming Easter.
A pre-Easter operation has already been conducted, during which 13 drivers were arrested for drunken driving over the weekend.
"These arrests followed an operation which started with roadblocks on the N4 road (between Mbombela and Malalane) on Friday," said Community Safety, Security and Liaison Department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza.
Mabuza said the Traffic Intervention Unit (TIU) was deployed on various routes in the Lowveld and also joined police patrols and raided taverns in Matsulu.
"We conducted another roadblock on Saturday on the R40 road in Masoyi near Hazyview," he said.
During the roadblocks, 365 summonses were issued for different violations, including reckless driving, driving without a licence, driving unroadworthy or unlicensed vehicles.
"Twenty-nine notices were also issued for discontinuation of vehicles, while one government vehicle was impounded," said Mabuza.
Department MEC Vusi Shongwe has praised the team, adding that these kinds of operations would be intensified during the Sekwanele Bopha Easter Arrive Alive Easter Campaign, which will be launched on Friday at Mbombela Stadium.
Sekwanele Bopha is a Siswati term meaning "It's enough, arrest them".
"Drivers must be warned as we will be tough on our roads to ensure that there is a reduction of accidents in the province," said Shongwe.
He said Easter holidays were usually characterised by high traffic volumes, increased accidents and general non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
Sekwanele Bopha Easter Arrive Alive Easter Campaign will run from April 2 to 15.
