New traffic trainees to increase law enforcement on roads

The first cohort of traffic trainees have completed a ground-breaking three-year intensive training are ready to be deployed on the roads to ensure that law and order are maintained.

The training was administered by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

The programme has been accredited as an equivalent of a National Diploma level (NQF Level 6) by the Quality Council of Trades and Occupation.

Before the introduction of this qualification, traffic officers were trained for a year on an NQF level 4 qualification which was equivalent to a matric.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of traffic trainees, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said the NQF level 6 qualification was registered with the South Africa Qualification Authority in 2018 paving the way for the first cohort of trainees who commenced training in January 2019.

“When we educate our young people, we arm them with the intellectual and cognitive tools and means not only to understand the world and their lives’ social experience but also to change it, not only to better themselves but others in society,” the Minister said recently.

This group of traffic officers has been trained in all aspects of law enforcement including traffic laws, criminal procedure, road safety, motor vehicle roadworthiness testing, driving licence testing, crime prevention and crash investigation.

Dream come true

Thato Merafe who was one of the graduates said he had been unemployed for almost seven years.

“I feel very proud to have completed the course because it took a long time and the physical training was intense from the first day we arrived at campus.

“I have always wanted to be a traffic officer, this is my childhood dream,” Merafe said.

He said the job opportunity has brought hope to his life and made it possible for him to achieve his dreams through the course.

“This job will allow me to advance the life of my family and I will take my children to better schools,” Merafe said.

The Minister said the graduation was a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit against extraordinary odds.

“Your decision to work hard to change the trajectory of your future and the future of your country has brought all of you to this very defining moment of a life-long accolade, which will always be part of who you are,” Minister Chikunga said. -SANews.gov.za