​By Koena Moabelo
In a bid to understand their daily operations and getting updates on the work done, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met with more than 350 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) beneficiaries who will assist with the critical work of road maintenance, grass cutting and litter picking. The engagement was held at the Koedoespoort regional office on Thursday,16 May 2024. 
By its nature, EPWP is a government’s medium to long term strategy to reduce unemployment, focuses on skills development and alleviate poverty through the creation of work opportunities using labourintensive methods. 
The MEC believes that to provide additional economic opportunities to young people and persons with disabilities (PwD),the government is planning to scale-up the participation of these two groups within the programme.
“To achieve improved mobility and accessibility in Gauteng, to develop transport and socio-economic infrastructure that helps residents participate meaningfully in economic and social activities, EPWP must be effective”, added MEC Diale-Tlabela.
The workers, in the main, are tasked with grass cutting alongside roads to improve visibility and reducing fire risks. Grass cutting also increases safety for roadside emergencies with more space for safe pulling off the road if required and keeping road users (vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians) visible to other drivers. 
During the meeting, issues ranging from late payments by service providers and lack of on-site ablution facilities, amongst others, were raised. Road safety along the R80 road, known as Mabopane Highway, also took centre stage. 
The dual carriageway connects the Tshwane Central Business District to Mabopane and Soshanguve. R80 highway has become a haven for brazen criminality and law enforcement authorities have been urged to take urgent action against the scourge. Motorists fall prey to criminals who pelt rocks and spike vehicles with the intention to rob them along the busy freeway.
The Department, said the MEC, is engaging law enforcement to ensure deployment of additional officers including Crime Prevention Wardens, to improve safety. “Alongside dealing with criminality on this highway, we also need to introduce efforts that improve visibility whilst reducing walking, jaywalking and crossing of freeways” reiterated the MEC.