Zero-tolerance enforcement blitz to improve safety on Durban's M7 Solomon Mahlangu Drive

The Project M7 safe passage is a new dedicated multi-agency task team that is expected to lead a zero-tolerance enforcement blitz on the M7 Solomon Mahlangu Drive soon.

The M7, utilised by freight trucks, runs between the N3 in Pinetown and the N2 bridge, which links the port of Durban to the interior. 

Nilesh Maharaj, a coordinator of the safety campaign on the M7, has been trying for several years to get the attention of authorities.

He was also motivated to pursue this campaign after two individuals tragically died in a collision between a truck and a motor vehicle on the M7 on January 25, 2026. A policewoman was also run over by a truck while directing traffic at a collision scene in January 2024.

Councillor Jay Singh, representing the United Independent Movement (UIM) in the eThekwini Municipality, said a project leader has been assigned by the municipality to coordinate a 14-day joint operation involving Durban metro police, the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), and the Department of Home Affairs.

“We cannot wait for another Fields Hill — which claimed 22 lives in 2013 — to find the political will to act. This is not about reactive policing. This is a proactive, three-month strategy to hold truck owners and operators legally accountable,” he said. 

Singh explained that the operation targets three core areas:

• Owner accountability (Section 49): Using the National Road Traffic Act to hold fleet owners criminally liable for unroadworthy vehicles, brake failures, and overloading — shifting the focus from drivers to the companies responsible. 
• Foreign driver compliance: Home Affairs officials will be stationed at the Bellville Road Bridge and N2 Interchange to verify work permits and ensure all heavy vehicle operators hold valid South African Professional Driving Permits (PrDP).
• Protecting infrastructure: Mobile weighbridges will be deployed to prevent overloading, safeguarding the R88.6 million road rehabilitation project currently under way. This includes a R22.1 million supplementary allocation for specialised High Modulus Asphalt (EME 20) to extend the road’s lifespan. 

“Nearly R90 million in ratepayer funds are being invested in this road. We will not allow reckless operators to destroy that investment and endanger lives,” said Singh.

Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, said the RTI has teamed up with Shanela, the Public Transport Enforcement Unit, to clean up road networks.

Duma said the RTI recently impounded 17 trucks with fake permits and fake roadworthy certificates, adding that his department was now targeting owners involved in fraudulent issuing of these documents. 

“We have a new head of the department, who has been mandated to ensure that we have an integrated approach involving all roles to ensure road safety.

“We have targeted various routes in Durban, working with eThekwini, SAPS, Home Affairs, Immigration, and the Department of Health. Undocumented foreign truck drivers are being arrested and we will be arresting their employers,” Duma said. 

Maharaj highlighted several critical issues that needed to be addressed prior to the recent meeting. These were: 

• Poor lighting and visibility. 
• Inadequate stormwater drainage. 
• Absence of permanent AI or speed monitoring cameras. 
• Deteriorating road surfaces, with many lanes showing tyre tracks from heavy vehicles. 
• Insufficient lanes in both directions to accommodate the increasing number of light and heavy motor vehicles. 

• No arrestor bed or weighbridge (truck scale). 
• Minimal law enforcement regarding speed limits, correct lane usage, and compulsory stops under the Bellville Road Bridge. 
• Lack of enforcement of heavy-duty vehicle curfews. 
• No precautionary measures for hazardous goods transport or emergency plans. 

Maharaj expressed his confidence that the myriad of solutions needed will be found and implemented if commitments provided by the officials are met. 

“It felt as though we now have a team that is willing to prevent future serious and fatal accidents. Due to the complex nature of the issue, not all suggestions are straightforward and may not be implemented. It is also important to note that short, medium, and long term solutions were discussed but require future investigations, research, department's involvement, budget requests, and approval,” he said.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za