Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
A drive through Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal can only be described as a chaotic event or #MiniJoburg experience during peak traffic times.
From motorists not paying attention to traffic lights ignored and taxi’s bobbing and weaving—some mornings and evenings look narrowly similar to driving through Bombay, India, at 8 am.
Laws and road rules become more of a guideline for various drivers. Yet, according to countless local motorists, traffic police are a rare find whilst these events unfold. But who is to blame for this lawlessness? You and me, or the scarcity of Traffic Officials throughout the town?
Not forgetting that while Allen Street, Drakensberg Road, and various streets throughout the CBD hustle and bustle, the only place where a collection of traffic officers can be found, is at a local petrol station, refuelling on coffee.
This common sighting has led to countless enquiries from our Newcastillian community. Everyone, requesting just how are these law enforcement officers allowed to sit on the sidelines whilst this all takes place?
This, especially since the Chief Traffic Officer, Ashok Anandhaw, stated in May 2021 that there were only six to eight traffic officers per shift on average covering a sizeable area.
To read the full story, click here.
Therefore, after various public requests, The Newcastillian – Online News spoke with Chief Traffic Officer Anandhaw to seek accountability and clarity once and for all.
Beginning, the Traffic Chief highlights that the Newcastle Municipality does not deny that its traffic officers are seen enjoying a cup of coffee at the said petrol station.
However, he notes, “There are factors that need to be taken into account. The officials could be coming from night shift, having a quick cup of coffee before heading home. Then there is also the fact that they could have just finished with an accident scene, freshening up at the petrol station and having something to drink quickly instead of going all the way to their homes.”
Also, Anandhaw states that not all the traffic officers live in Newcastle and must travel from their homes in Durnacol or Ingagane.
“This means they have to leave their homes shortly after 5 am, clock in at 6 am and get their orders for the day. They could just be getting a quick coffee to stay fresh, and it is then that they are spotted.”
He also points out that the traffic officers spotted at the petrol station might also be from the RTI (Road Traffic Inspectorate) travelling to work or home in their private vehicles. As these traffic officers’ uniforms look similar, Anandhaw explains that community members might be accidentally painting them all under the same brush.
Comprehensively addressing the coffee topic raised by so many, Anandhaw was further asked who monitors traffic officers to ensure they are not skiving off during working hours?
According to the traffic head, although traffic officers spend a large portion of their days outdoors, they are regularly monitored to ensure they are serving the community.
“The day shift traffic officers sign into work at 6am, receive their stations and duties for the day from the Superintendent of Operations and the Senior Traffic Officer on duty. The traffic officers then go out to their relevant stations and duties. As the day proceeds, the Superintendent and the Senior Traffic Officer check up on them and redeploy them as the need arises.”
He further states that traffic officers are stationed at specific hotspots, while others must conduct patrols—remembering that their “officer to driver ratio” is concerning.
Despite the fact that traffic officers are moving around town, stationed in high-risk areas, and patrolling Newcastle, the logical question is, why don’t we see them? This being the prevalent question from Newcastillians?
The Traffic Chief states that the Newcastle Municipality currently employs 20 traffic officers to service 34 wards. Then, out of these 20 officers, one or two are usually on annual leave.
“This means we have one traffic officer looking after approximately 11 300 people.”
Given this, Anandhaw emphasises that traffic officials are well aware of the vulnerable areas of town where most traffic violations occur, but they cannot always be expected to be everywhere at once.
“It is important to remember that road safety is all of our responsibility, and if the public stop violating traffic laws, we will be out of work.”
Additionally, Anandhaw acknowledges that specific difficulties exist. While stating that he cannot reveal much at this time, he claims that the challenges faced by his department will be addressed in Exco within the next week and that the Municipality’s leadership will then decide on the steps forward.
In the interim, if community members do see traffic officers having a quick coffee or something to eat at a local petrol station, the Traffic Chief reminds them, “Traffic officers are also human, and they do need sustenance. They are not robots.”
As noted during the time spent with the Traffic Chief, the department is doing its best with what it can and has. Therefore, we eagerly await the results of the EXCO meeting to see the road ahead.
Do you have any questions for the Traffic department? Share your views in the comment section below.
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10 Responses
So true..Traffic Offices are also human…if you see them having a cuppa coffee so what..dont we all!!.yes i would say during month end busy times they a definately need on Allen street at Taxi city..its chaotic..taxis stop anywhere and everywhere
dropping off passengers blocking traffic.Please i request to have officers placed at this spot during month ends.thank you
Last week there was an accident at the Amajuba intersection, the traffic officer stood in the middle of the road with his back to the traffic the needed to be directed. The homeless person asking for money was directing the traffic…this is the type off service provided from traffic officers. I have seen it at numerus accidents, the members of the public direct traffic will officers stand around.
Very true, when the robots are not working, why do they not put on there white gloves, safety vest and direct the traffic, I am sure defective traffic lights are reported, why can’t this be related to these officers to take action. If you as a concerned citizen try to talk to these officers on the road, straight away they go on the offensive, being very arragant, don’t try and tell me my job, I know what to do, but the truth being, do they know or do they just forget.
Cameras? Roadworthy tests on cars?
Why don’t the traffic officers do something about the beggars at the robots instead of just riding past, are they waiting for a vehicle to knock the beggar before acting, but then again the action will most probably be against the motorist. The municipality is turning a blind eye on beggars which is becoming an increasing problem and risk to motorist.
Very true, if you knock one of them, you are automatically in the wrong, no matter what. I am sure there are municipality by-laws prohibiting these people from begging on the streets, why are the saps and other cops turning a blind eye on these people
What needs to be done to remove these people from the streets.
How many traffic officers are there in this town.. That is Newcastle East , West ; Charlestown etc…. Accidents must be attended too who should respond to that… Residents have all the Complaints but no Solutions… Next time Traffic officers are seen having Coffee pls stop and ask them if it Tea time… These are essential service employees and they don’t have Canteens like the Fortune ppl…
These guys are too busy guarding stop signs in not so critical areas. Also in Newcastle I can predict the days where they will definitely be in the streets and coincidentally it’s always around the different pay days
Issue them with a flask or small cooler box to bring coffee or cold drinks/water from home. It’s much cheaper than garage coffee and maybe it will also stop them from asking for bribes
Priscilla, You will find them a lot a sasol garage in town drinking coffee, the question is do they pay for the coffee or not. I have my doubts about the payment.