Tshwane Metro Police crack down on pedestrians crossing highways, endangering drivers

The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) has arrested six men, including three foreign nationals and three South African citizens, for allegedly endangering motorists by crossing the N4 highway.

TMPD spokesperson Colonel Isaac Mahamba said the arrests were made during ongoing operations by the department’s pedestrian unit focused on preventing pedestrians from unlawfully crossing freeways.

“These are ongoing operations that we conduct by enforcing the law on pedestrians who cross freeways, as they pose a danger to motorists,” Mahamba said.

Pedestrian-related incidents on major highways have previously been flagged by authorities as a serious road safety concern, with law enforcement agencies warning that pedestrians on freeways significantly increase the risk of fatal crashes.

Mahamba said the TMPD would not tolerate behaviour that endangers road users' lives and urged the public to comply with road traffic laws to prevent fatalities.

The suspects were detained at a local South African Police Service police station.

Last year, IOL reported that two pedestrians, a man and a woman, were fatally knocked down while attempting to cross the R21 freeway southbound in the City of Ekurhuleni.

The horrific incident happened just before the Highveld Engen One Stop, outside Tembisa, according to Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Ntladi.

“City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services rescue team received the call and responded swiftly to the scene for intervention. On arrival, an articulated truck was found to have been the one involved, and there were two motionless bodies lying on the left edge — the emergency lane of the freeway.”

One of the two pedestrians was under the truck, while the other was on the pavement.

Following the incident, two road lanes were temporarily closed to traffic to allow Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officials to conduct investigations.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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