The Inkatha Freedom Party calls for tough penalties for people throwing stones at vehicles and roads after stone and rock throwers are continuing to target cars from bridges across freeways.
“This criminal activity has resulted to the death of a seven-year-old boy and his older sister, after a boulder was allegedly thrown from a bridge and landed on the car they were travelling on the N2, between uThongathi and Ballito on the KZN North Coast. The law must give courts the ability to punish stone throwers to prove malicious intent on their part. A lost human life can only be fully compensated through the maximum penalty. As long as a punishment bears no proportion to a crime, then justice is weak and dead,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.
“A stone thrower is a terrorist and only a fitting punishment can serve as a deterrent and just punishment. These criminals stand on top of the bridges, throwing stones and rocks at passing cars. When you stop, they hijack your car. We are of the view that these criminals are using the stone throwing modus operandi for hijackings,” continued Mr Gwala.
“As the IFP we fully support the eThekwini Municipality’s initiative of looking at fitting the city’s “hot spot” bridges with steel cages and installing cameras, in a bid to curb rock-throwing. We further urge, the KZN Provincial Government, in particular the Department of Transport to ensure that all bridges across freeways are fitted with steel cages,” concluded Mr Gwala.
The IFP urge motorists to be careful especially when driving at night. If they feel suspicious they must urgently contact the police.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature
078 290 5842