Newly launched hotline for reckless driving
"We encourage our residents to use the Buya Mthetho Hotline and report those that are endangering the safety of others"
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) recently launched the Buya Mthetho Hotline pilot project with the aim of making reporting reckless and negligent driving, as well as by-law infringements, across the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), as easy as possible.
According to CoJ’s Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, the monthly release of these success and challenge statistics encourages the department to be proactive in its public safety efforts, and the Hotline pilot project will allow the JMPD to be even more so.
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The hotline allows residents to report reckless and inconsiderate road behaviour along with other by-law infringements. They will be able to upload camera/ cellphone footage onto the WhatsApp-based hotline, enabling the JMPD to follow up and take the necessary action.
The launch of this pilot project is aimed at creating a safer city for all, especially since reckless driving and driving under the influence have been at the top of the monthly list of transgressions.
“On a daily basis, the JMPD receives complaints about bad driving and blatant disregard of traffic laws and rules. We also receive complaints about noise and other by-law infringements. The frustration extends to social media where residents express their anger and frustration. Often, and unfortunately, these incidents are not reported to the correct authorities. We encourage our residents to use the Buya Mthetho Hotline and report those that are endangering the safety of others,” Mashaba said.
The hotline uses the WhatsApp platform which enables residents to:
· Take a clear photo or video of the subject of complaint, showing the vehicle’s registration number and other relevant information;
· Upload the information to the hotline with a short description including date, time and location of the incident; and
· Provide their names and contact details, which will be kept anonymous.
The photo or video must have been taken by the complainant him- or herself, and may not be a forward of a photo or clip taken by a third party or downloaded from other sources. The complainant must also be able and willing to testify against the offender if required in terms of the legal process.
Once the complaint is received, the JMPD will analyse the evidence and deal with it accordingly, including submitting the complaint to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution.
Mashaba also said, “I hope that through this pilot project, we will be able to design and implement a proper process to deal with video evidence [and] complaints [submitted] by the public and that offenders will be dealt with accordingly.”
The Reckless Driving Hotline WhatsApp number is 081 410 6338. Voice complaints are still to be reported to JMPD on (011) 375 5911.
It is important to also state that residents should only record incidents when it is safe to do.
