MANZANA – The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Security and Liaison has called for improved road safety measures, including 24-hour weighbridge operations, following a visit to the Badplaas Mobile Load Control Unit (MLCU).
The visit, which took place on Monday, 23 March 2026, formed part of the ongoing Taking Legislature to the People (TLP) Programme currently underway in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality. The purpose of the oversight visit was to assess the effectiveness of the facility and evaluate its impact on road safety and law enforcement.
During the engagement, committee members raised several concerns, including the need for the facility to operate around the clock.
“It is not acceptable that our traffic officers operate only eight hours. While there is provision for overtime, it is not sustainable. We need to change this situation, and our traffic officers must operate 24 hours,” said Head of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), Gloria Mazibuko, who led the delegation.
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Members noted that the R38 route carries a high volume of heavy motor vehicles, making it critical for the weighbridge to operate continuously to curb overloading and improve compliance with road safety regulations.The committee also recommended that the Badplaas MLCU be upgraded into a fully-fledged static weighbridge to enhance its efficiency. It was further suggested that all weighbridges across the province should operate 24 hours a day to strengthen government efforts to improve road safety.
Concerns were also raised about the shortage of mobile units, which is affecting operations and allowing some vehicles to operate under unsafe conditions. Committee members further urged the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison to address the issue of overloaded minibus taxis, particularly those towing trailers.
Weighbridges play a crucial role in enforcing traffic laws and reducing the risks associated with overloaded heavy vehicles, which contribute to road accidents and damage to infrastructure.The Badplaas MLCU operates as a satellite of the Machadodorp Weighbridge, alongside Farrenfontein, Machadodorp West and Wonderfontein facilities.
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The TLP Programme, running from 23 to 27 March 2026, aims to bring government services closer to communities while strengthening accountability and responsiveness.
