In a powerful show of public-private collaboration, the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), in partnership with the Department of Transport, hosted a media briefing today, Wednesday, 30 April 2025. The event aimed to reinforce the urgent need for all South Africans to take personal accountability in improving road safety.
The “Safety First: Post-Easter Road Safety” event, attended by key stakeholders including the Southern African Bus Operators Association (SABOA), the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), the National Liquor Traders Association (NLTA), and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), aligns with the Department’s 2025 “It Begins with Me” campaign. The campaign highlights the crucial role that regular vehicle testing, responsible driving behaviour, and strong public-private collaboration play in reducing road fatalities.
Addressing attendees, Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, emphasised not only the human loss factor in accidents but also the often unforeseen societal and economic impact of road accidents. “Just one accident on the R21 can delay thousands of people resulting in a huge loss of productivity to the economy. That same accident places pressure on already constrained hospitals, loss of time in the classroom for scholars and so on. The long-term impact of road accidents is a fundamental problem for our economy and saving lives needs to permeate throughout the entire ecosystem. Public private engagements where we can pool knowledge, skills and expertise are highly effective in helping us push forward and we look forward to further collaborations like this in the future.”
The Deputy Minister concluded by thanking all stakeholders for their efforts to date and reminded motorists it is the small things that make a big difference. He said the Department remained committed to improving infrastructure and once again commended SAPS on their consistent law enforcement operations across all nine provinces, coordinated efforts by national, provincial, and local authorities, and the many impactful partnerships between civil society and government.
Ipeleng Mabusela, Chief Executive Officer: Strategy and Corporate Support of the RMI – South Africa’s largest organisation in the automotive aftermarket retail market, representing over 8,500 members and contributing 2,1% to GDP and more than 300 000 jobs – commended the Department on the work undertaken over the period. He said businesses’ role is to support government and other stakeholders on road safety and reiterated the success of public private partnerships.
“We are here today because it starts with “all of us” and because we believe safety shouldn’t only be highlighted during the holiday seasons. It should be top of mind throughout the year.”
The importance of maintaining a safe and roadworthy vehicle fleet cannot be overstated. “While the causes of road accidents are typically attributed to human behaviour, environmental conditions such as road and weather, or vehicle-related factors like faulty brakes, worn tyres, poor suspension or ineffective wipers, the vehicle component is often overlooked,” says Mabusela. “By raising awareness around the condition of vehicles, we can positively influence driver behaviour and foster a stronger culture of compliance and safety on our roads.”
Mabusela reiterated RMI’s ongoing commitment to protecting the interests of both its members and the motoring public by upholding high service standards and ethical trading practices.
“South Africa continues to face an unacceptably high number of road fatalities and unroadworthy vehicles,” said Mabusela. “This underscores the urgent need for stricter and more regular vehicle testing. Currently, only 21.46% of South Africa’s 13.3 million-strong vehicle parc is legally required to undergo testing. In the absence of more comprehensive regulation, we support the Government’s proactive call for all South Africans to be more conscientious about vehicle safety and maintenance.”
Research identifies key vehicle-related causes of serious accidents, including tyre bursts, faulty brakes, general roadworthiness, malfunctioning headlights, and tyre failure due to tread separation or excessive wear. “Most of these issues are preventable with regular maintenance and testing,” Mabusela noted. “We must ensure only roadworthy vehicles are allowed on our roads.”
He also highlighted the RMI’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud, particularly within the vehicle testing sector. While most test stations operate ethically, fraudulent certifications at a minority of facilities undermine the system and endanger lives. “A vehicle must be physically present for testing. It cannot be declared roadworthy on the NaTIS system without being inspected at the station – even less so from another province,” he explained. “Professionally run stations routinely document the vehicle’s presence through visual images with time stamps. Those that fail to comply tarnish the reputation of the entire industry – this is the biggest gap in the current system.”
Mabusela reaffirmed the RMI’s dedication to working with the Department of Transport and other organisations to support initiatives aimed at building a safer national vehicle fleet. “We must create greater awareness and accountability and compliance around fraudulent practices, both within the industry and among the general public.”
Technology, he noted, offers one of the most effective ways to curb fraud. “Automating more elements of the test lane process, as recommended by the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), can reduce human error and manipulation. For example, automated brake testing, already required under the National Road Traffic Act, is a step toward a fully automated and more reliable vehicle evaluation process and we look forward to working with the Department further on these measures.”
From the public’s perspective, Mabusela encouraged motorists to keep their vehicles well-maintained and to take advantage of the services offered at testing stations. “One valuable option is the Multi-Point Inspection (MPI), which goes beyond the basic safety checks of a roadworthy test to include quality checks – like air conditioning, which is not covered in a standard roadworthy test. With so many complex components in modern vehicles, an MPI at purchase or once your vehicle is over five years old can help detect issues before they become serious hazards.”
He also reminded motorists to make use of the free vehicle checks offered periodically throughout the year. While not a full roadworthy test, these checks cover all safety-critical components. “Your car may not be as safe as you think,” Mabusela cautioned. “Over the Easter period, for example, the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA) ran free safety checks at 31 stations across key provinces. In the Western Cape, where VTA stations worked with the Gene Louw Traffic College, 193 checks were conducted. At the seven AVTS stations, 94 vehicles were checked – 74.7% of which failed.”
“The RMI strongly believes that through close collaboration between government and the private sector, and by fostering a culture of personal responsibility among motorists, real progress can be made in making South Africa’s roads safer for all,” Mabusela concluded.