eThekwini Municipality has intensified enforcement against non-compliant vehicles transporting dangerous goods, issuing fines amounting to R102 500 during a joint operation.
The multi-agency crackdown, led by the eThekwini Fire Services Directorate in partnership with Metro Police, the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, targeted vehicles operating with fraudulent or expired Dangerous Goods Certificates.
During the six-hour operation last week, authorities stopped and inspected 201 dangerous goods vehicles at two key logistics points.
According to the municipality, 113 vehicles were inspected at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, where 10 non-compliant trucks were fined a total of R45 500. A further six violations were detected among 88 vehicles inspected along the M7, resulting in fines totalling R60 000. In total, 16 trucks carrying hazardous materials were found to be in breach of road safety regulations.
Inspectors verified driver documentation, checked fire safety requirements and assessed the condition of onboard firefighting equipment. The operation forms part of the city's strategy to reduce the risks associated with transporting flammable, toxic and corrosive substances.
Fire Safety Manager Thembelihle Msibi said the roadblocks were essential to protecting public safety.
"The safety of our residents, motorists, pedestrians and employees working in these companies remains our priority. These roadblocks are not merely compliance exercises. They are proactive measures designed to prevent accidents, reduce risk and ensure that dangerous goods are transported in accordance with the highest safety standards," he said.
Regular enforcement was having a visible impact, Msibi said.
"Since Fire Services began participating in these multidisciplinary operations, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of fraudulent Dangerous Goods Certificates being detected. This demonstrates that consistent enforcement is strengthening compliance within the industry," he said.
Road Freight Association (RFA) chief executive Gavin Kelly questioned why such enforcement actions were not part of routine policing.
"The Road Freight Association notes the 'intensified' efforts of the eThekwini Municipality regarding vehicles transporting dangerous goods. Various aspects of the Dangerous Goods legislation require frequent checks – some annually and others at any time while a vehicle is transporting prescribed dangerous goods on a public road," he said.
"The question is: why now? Is this sort of policing not done continuously?"
Kelly said enforcement should focus on operators flouting the law, while supporting compliant transporters.
"The association trusts that the municipality will deal appropriately with those transporting dangerous goods in contravention of the various legislative prescripts. A huge scourge is those unscrupulous companies that transport dangerous goods 'under the radar'. Hopefully these have been apprehended as well," he said.
Kelly added that many RFA members maintained high standards of compliance.
"The safety of all road users and communities is best ensured through constant, efficient monitoring of legislative compliance."
The municipality said similar enforcement operations would continue across the region.
