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The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape has lashed out at the Provincial Transport Department for not providing bulletproof vests to traffic officers for 13 years.
In a statement issued on Monday, MPL, Marshall Von Buchenroder, said it was outrageous that the Department last issued bulletproof vests to traffic officers in the 2008/2009 financial year.
He highlighted the September murder of Gqeberha-based traffic officer, Sonica Smith, who was shot and killed in Kwadwesi during a daylight robbery in which firearms were stolen.
Von Buchenroder says traffic officers' lives should be prioritised.
He says as the festive season approaches, the visibility of traffic officers on the roads will be high, and so will be in danger.
"We are calling on the MEC to intervene in this regard as soon as possible," he said.
