Macie made the commitment during a stakeholder engagement last Friday, where residents voiced their frustrations over escalating crime in the area and called for immediate intervention. Addressing the gathering, he said the situation in the township could no longer be ignored and required urgent, coordinated action from both government and the community.

“We have gathered here because the crime situation confronting the people of Pienaar demands urgent, coordinated and decisive action. This is not a ceremonial meeting and it cannot become another talk show. It must mark the beginning of a disciplined partnership between government and the people to reclaim this community from violence, fear and criminal control,” he said.

The intervention comes as Pienaar Police Station has been identified as one of Mpumalanga’s top 30 police stations for community-reported serious crimes. Macie said the station would be prioritised under the Police Ministry’s Reset Agenda to strengthen police visibility, crime intelligence, detective services and operations against organised crime.

For many residents, however, the high crime rate has already had a devastating impact on their lives, with sexual violence emerging as one of the community’s greatest concerns.

A 29-year-old mother told Mpumalanga Mirror that her two-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted in 2022, but the case has still not been resolved, leaving her with unanswered questions.
“It’s heartbreaking because, to this day, the perpetrator is still walking freely in our community. I just want justice for my child,” she said.

READ | Rape cases-most problematic in the province

Her experience echoed concerns raised by Mduduzi Mnisi, chairperson of the Zone B Safety Stakeholders, who said residents continued to grapple with housebreakings, car hijackings, gangsterism, extortion and other violent crimes. Resident, Micha Nhleko, welcomed the government’s intervention, but said the community wanted to see action rather than hear promises.

“We are grateful that they came to listen to our concerns, but we need more police visibility,” he said.
Some residents also claimed they had lost trust in the police, alleging that certain officers were working with criminals. Macie said the allegations would be investigated and dealt with decisively.

“An officer who abandons the constitution and assists criminals, ceases to be a protector and becomes part of the criminal threat,” he said. The MEC urged residents to report crime, refuse to harbour offenders and work with the police to reclaim their community.

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Wet and icy conditions on tarred roads make them slippery and difficult to drive on. Visibility is greatly affected, especially at night, making road users vulnerable to avoidable crashes.

As a result, excessive speed must be avoided and switch on lights to be visible to other road users. Drivers should also increase their following distance and, wherever possible, delay or postpone their journeys.

Motorists are further advised to avoid driving through low-lying bridges and flooded areas. Snowfall has been reported on the N11 towards Volksrust and on the N3 in the province towards KwaZulu-Natal.

READ | Extreme caution urged as winter hits SA roads

Other hazardous conditions include misty conditions on some roads during the night and early morning.

No major crashes have been reported so far. However, traffic law enforcement officers and emergency personnel remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation.

“Let us be on high alert and adjust our driving in line with these adverse conditions to stay out of danger. We must monitor conditions and remain updated, especially when travelling,” the MEC stated.

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The victims were in a vehicle that was riddled with nearly 40 bullets. The deceased were identified as Remember “Zuzu” Sedibe (29), Alice Mahlangu (19), Xolani Mona (30) and Fana Fana Ngobe.

During his visit to the aggrieved families on Tuesday, July 14, Macie faced a community too afraid to speak out. However, he assured residents that national intervention would help.

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Police have confirmed that 37 murders have been reported in the area since January 2026.

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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.

READ | Tekwane South bridge | HOD monitors progress

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.

ALSO READ | EXCO assesses service Bushbuckridge service delivery report

The TLP Programme, running from 23 to 27 March 2026, aims to bring government services closer to communities while strengthening accountability and responsiveness.

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One occupant remains seriously injured and is receiving treatment at a Belfast hospital.The cause is still under investigation, but preliminary indications point to dangerous overtaking and excessive speed as possible factors.

MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, reiterated the province’s call for motorists to be extremely vigilant, especially at night when visibility is reduced. He also urged drivers to take regular breaks on long trips.

READ | Middelburg crash claims four lives including infant

“We are again appealing to motorists to be extremely vigilant especially at night when visibility is reduced. Roads are shared spaces and drivers must do all in their might to prevent needless loss of life from deadly crashes,” he stated.

MEC Macie extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery.

The post Seven people die in N4 head-on crash appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Prevalent offences include dangerous overtaking, excessive speeding, failure to wear safety belts, worn-out tyres, faulty lights and others. Approximately 114 000 vehicles were stopped and checked in various operations across the province.

Further 35 410 vehicles went through various weighbridges on various roads across the province. About 400 vehicles were discontinued, while 580 vehicles were impounded for not being roadworthy.

About 110 motorists were arrested for suspected drinking and driving. Most of the offenders have appeared in various magistrates courts. MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, lauded the traffic law enforcement officers and encourages them to continue in the same trajectory to save lives on the road.

READ | Motorists urged to do vehicle check before Easter trips

He again appeals to motorists to be extremely cautious and also obey traffic rules. Motorists are also advised to ensure roadworthiness of their vehicles before commencing with their journeys.

“Every driver must play their part to prevent avoidable crashes. Most of the collissions that we record could have been prevented had greater care been taken. Motorists must plan their trips in such a way that they accomodate additional travel time due to weather and roadworks,” added the MEC.

Meanwhile, a prelinary report indicates that over 95 peope have lost their lives in various road crashes across the province. Most of these crashes were as a result of dangerous overtaking, loss of control of vehicle aand overturning among others.

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The driver allegedly lost control on a curve, causing the vehicle to roll several times. Paramedics pronounced the three male passengers dead at the scene. One passenger was critically injured and four others suffered serious injuries; all were taken to a hospital in Mbombela.

The minibus was reportedly travelling from Johannesburg to Mozambique. Initial indications suggest the driver may have left the N4 toll road at the D799 turn‑off to evade law enforcement. An investigation is underway.

In a separate incident, a mother and child were killed near Delmas on the N12 when a vehicle struck them while they were crossing the road.

MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison,  Jackie Macie, urges motorists to exercise extreme caution, stick to familiar routes and obey traffic laws. “The festive seasoning should be a time for families and friends to celebrate, not to lose loved ones to avoidable crashes,” he said.

READ | Six people killed in Mametlhake crash

The MEC also commended officers who have stopped about 88 000 vehicles, impounded roughly 450 unroadworthy vehicles, checked over 28 000 vehicles (mainly heavy motor vehicles) at weigh bridges and issued more than 14 000 written notices for various offences.

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The graduates include 96 officers whose enrolment at the Mpumalanga Traffic College was abruptly terminated in 2021 following corruption allegations. Provincial government suspended the learnership programme after allegations of misconduct and corruption were levelled against officials, including claims that unqualified students were enrolled.

Consequently, the programme was put on hold and students were sent home, but were given a chance to continue early this year after a thorough investigation, finally completing the 12-month programme.

READ | https://mpmirroronline.co.za/mp-traffic-college-intake-nullified-by-premier/

MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, and Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC, Thulasizwe Thomo handed over certificates to the graduates at the Mpumalanga Traffic Training College’s 6th Passout Parade in Mkhuhlu yesterday, December 18, 2025.

Macie applauded the newly-appointed officers, stating that their appointment is expected to bolster traffic law enforcement in the province and contribute towards the reduction of road crashes and fatalities.

“Today, it’s a proud and significant day for the province of Mpumalanga. We gather here not simply to parade uniforms, but to formally present disciplined and committed public servants, who will serve on the frontline for our road safety, law enforcement and community protection,” said MEC Macie.

In an interview with Mpumalanga Mirror, the graduate traffic officers said the suspension of the programme in 2021 had made their lives difficult. They were unable to secure jobs as they were already on the government system, and it was disheartening to know that some of them had followed the correct application processes.

“Going to college and coming back without completing made us a laughing stock in our communities. But we’re excited that we’ve finally graduated and are ready to serve,” said Lifeman Tibane, one of the graduates.

ALSO READ | https://mpmirroronline.co.za/newly-trained-traffic-officers-to-be-deployed-for-service/

Another graduate, Confidence Mabuza, added: “Our families were expecting us to come home and change our situations, but going back without completing made life tougher. Some of us were drowning in depression, but today I’m feeling proud, even though some of us are over the required age of 35. We’re grateful we got a second chance.”

The graduates will resume their duties in various Cost Centres across the province in January 2026.

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Preliminary reports indicate that the driver of the bus lost control leading to the bus overturning. Six passengers were seriously injured while 20 other occupants escaped with slight injuries including the driver who were transported to a nearby hospital in Mkhondo.

The crash is still under investigation. It is however suspected that prevailing wet conditions may have played a hand in the crash.

Spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi said the bus passenger list had 65 names when it left Johannesburg.

READ | Three killed including a young boy in bakkie collision 

“Other passengers went off at various stops along the way hence there were only 31 occupants including the driver at the time of the crash. The bus was not carrying over 80 passengers as it was earlier reported,” he said.

MEC, Jackie Macie appealed to drivers to adjust their driving in line with the prevailing conditions on the road and this include the wet weather.

The post Bus accident claims five people’s lives appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The 49-year-old senior inspector’s death came as a result of a vehicle that was pulling a trailer to the Middelburg Weighbridge on the N4 toll Road.

Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi confirmed the incident.

“It is alleged that the LDV did not stop, and hit him. The driver reportedly drove away and allegedly fled the scene on foot. The officer died at the scene. A case of culpable homicide has been opened, and the driver is still at large. Police are searching for the suspect and an investigation is underway.”

READ | Traffic officer hit by delivery vehicle

MEC, Jackie Macie called on traffic law enforcement officers to be more vigilant when on the road as some motorists do not respect the rules of the road

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