The Department of Transport is set to investigate ways of ensuring a reliable statistical databank for road fatalities, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced on Tuesday.

“A reliable databank wouldn’t only assist us in ensuring that we have accurate figures regarding road-related incidents, fatal crashes in particular, but would guide how we respond to challenges of road carnage besetting our country.

“We need scientific analysis to unearth the exact causes of some of the horrific crashes we have witnessed on our roads. Every road-related incident, particularly the major ones with fatal consequences, should be thoroughly analysed in order for us to come up with remedial actions that would prevent further recurrences,” she said.

Peters will soon consult various potential stakeholders within government, the private sector and civil society to map out an all-inclusive approach that would see each role player making a positive contribution towards this cause.

The department and other law enforcement authorities currently depend on the South African Police Service for information on road-related incidents.

Peters said the planned approach would see her department, Police, Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, Social Development and other relevant state entities working together to address preventative and responsive measures.

“We also need to have our research bodies in government on board to explore innovative means of addressing the challenge of road carnage.

“Traffic authorities in all three spheres of government should work closely together to ensure sharing of information and best practices,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za

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North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed a no bail verdict for six suspects, who allegedly raped a 25-year-old woman in Modikwe village, and called for a stiff sentence should they be found guilty.

“Harsher sentences should serve as a deterrent to dissuade perpetrators of sexual violence, which remains a traumatic experience with long term psychological effects on women and an abominable scourge against which society needs to unite in action to eradicate,” said Modise.

The premier said the arrests should bring much relief to the community, as the suspects had been terrorising members of the community.

The woman was reportedly sleeping when the suspects wearing balaclavas broke into her home on Christmas evening.

According to a media report, while the gangsters ransacked the house, one of them took her to another room where he forcefully removed her clothes and raped her. – SAnews.gov.za

With the 2014 school year beginning tomorrow, Brand South Africa has urged all teachers to deliver quality education for the growth and development of the country.

Brand SA has also called on learners to be committed to their future by focusing on their studies.

Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola said according to the 2013 Results for Learning Report, there has been an increase in the number of children attending and completing primary school as well as having access to lower-secondary school.

“We have also recently welcomed an improved matric pass rate. This is good news since education is the foundation of a country’s development.

“We therefore urge learners and teachers to be committed to being in the classroom, teaching and learning.”

Brand SA urged the youth, particularly the 2014 grade 12 students, to remain dedicated throughout the year and aim high to achieve the results they are capable of. - SAnews.gov.za

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Bafana Bafana striker Bernard Parker says winning their 2014 CHAN opening match against Mozambique has boosted their morale to proceed and qualify for the next round of the tournament.

The host team conceded a goal early in the first half following a deflection, but went on to win 3-1 against Mozambique in a thrilling match played at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.

“Winning the first game of the tournament gives us a chance to proceed and qualify for the next round. We feel very confident from this victory, but it was a wake-up call for us because we started a bit slow and the positive result is a good motivation for the next game.

“We need to continue with this winning mentality. The victory has lifted some weight off our shoulders and we can face the next match in a more relaxed mood, but we are aware that this is just the beginning and a lot of work needs to be done, so we can go all the way,” said Parker.

Bafana Bafana will play Mali in their next match on Wednesday at Cape Town Stadium. Kick-off is at 5pm.

Skipper Itumeleng Khune said the team showed character to come back from a goal down to win the opening match of the CHAN tournament.

“It was really disappointing to have conceded a goal of that nature. The pitch was wet so when the ball took a wicked deflection, I slipped and it went in but the players showed leadership by telling me to keep my head high because the goal came early and unexpectedly.

“We all showed a lot of character to come back from that point to emerge victorious. Now, we need to build from there when we go into our next match, which is also crucial as a win should almost guarantee us passage to the next round,” said Khune.

Parker scored two goals and was voted Man of the Match for his impressive performance. He has now scored 21 goals in 65 appearances for South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

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Fewer road accidents and deaths were recorded in Mpumalanga over December. The province recorded 567 accidents and 109 deaths, compared to 591 accidents and 130 deaths in December 2012, said Joseph Mabuza, spokesperson for the provincial department of community safety, security and liaison on Wednesday.

“The reduction of road crashes and fatalities...during December last year was caused by increasing law enforcement visibility," he said. Deaths were down 16,5% and accidents were down 4,06%. There was, however, an increase of 12,14 % in serious injuries when 428 people were seriously injured compared to 376 in December 2012. Slight injuries went down from 660 in December 2012 to 649 in December 2013.

Mabuza said the problematic roads in the province remain the N4, R40, N11, R573, R33, D797, N3 and N12.

He said most deaths and accidents occurred in the Nkangala region on the Highveld where 47 people were killed in 212 crashes.

This was followed by the Ehlanzeni region in the Lowveld, which recorded 203 crashes in which 35 people died.

The Gert Sibande region in the southern Highveld recorded 154 accidents in which 27 people died. Department MEC Vusi Shongwe said the figures remain too high and that road users need to prioritise road safety at all times.

“Tough measures should be taken against those who violate traffic regulations in order to deter future transgressors,” said Shongwe.

He said motorists need to take driving seriously and ensure that they are extremely vigilant at all times while they are on the road. “We need to reduce crashes and save lives. We must play our part in making our roads safer as most accidents are attributable to human error”.

Meanwhile, between December 1 and 31, Mpumalanga traffic authorities stopped 202 122 vehicles which included 20 163 minibus taxis, 3 764 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), 44 610 bakkies, 5 447 sedans and 2 435 buses among others.

The operations led to 1 518 people being served with written notices for dangerous overtaking while 14 075 motorists were fined for speeding. A further 3 193 fines were issued for faulty tyres while 2 132 cases of motorists driving without safety belts were also reported.

More than 1 000 vehicles had faulty lights and 1 182 vehicles were discontinued as they were deemed dangerous to be on the road while 1 757 vehicles were impounded.

Only 102 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, overloading, driving without valid licenses and producing false documentation among others – SAnews.gov.za

Brand South Africa has welcomed all soccer players and football fans to South Africa ahead of the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled from 11 January to 1 February 2014.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola said: “With games being played in Cape Town, Mangaung and Polokwane, visitors to our country will have an opportunity to experience our diversity and the unique quality of the different provinces.

“However, the welcome of our people remains the same throughout the country and all South Africans look forward to hosting our visitors”.

He said during the 2009 Confederation Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup, and 2012 AFCON tournament, South Africans showcased their warm and legendary hospitality and love for the beautiful game.

“We are all ambassadors for this country so let us play our part and be good hosts during the CHAN tournament.”

He also urged South Africans to support the national team and fly the flag for the country and Bafana Bafana.

Top jazz guitarist Jimmy Dludlu and house music trio Mi Casa are among a number of artists set to perform at the opening ceremony on Saturday, in what singer and musical director Sibongile Khumalo has promised will be better than the opening ceremony of Afcon 2013.

“You need to be there and experience it… Trust me you will be pleasantly surprised,” said Khumalo.

The line-up for the opening ceremony, which starts at 3pm on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium, was announced at a media briefing today and also includes acapella group The Soil, praise singer Zolani Mkiva and singer Jessica Mbangeni.

Khumalo said the ceremony would be targeted at young people, adding that preparations involved dance, costuming and a multi-media presentation.

She said funding limitations had made it more difficult to source African artists outside of the country.

Mvuzo Mbebe, the chief executive of the local organising committee, said more than 10 000 tickets – including those in stands and complementary tickets – had so far been printed. - SAnews.gov.za