Limpopo: Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, has called on motorists, public transport operators, and workers traveling to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) May Day event to prioritize road safety, as traffic volumes are expected to spike over this long weekend. The Cosatu national May Day rally will take place on Friday, 1 May, at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium from 8am to 6pm, with an estimated 15,000 people expected to attend. Additional rallies organized by other federations will also be held across the province.

According to South African Government News Agency, Mathye noted that the rally coincides with month-end, a period typically marked by increased travel as workers receive their salaries. "This is another extended weekend. We want every worker to arrive at their respective rallies safely and return alive," Mathye said on Thursday.

The department has activated a comprehensive traffic management plan covering major routes into Polokwane. Law enforcement officers will be deployed from early Friday morning to monitor key corridors, including N1 South and R101 (Waterberg District), R37 (Sekhukhune District), R71 and R81 (Mopani District), N1 North, R524 and R578 (Vhembe District), and D19, R521 and R567 (Capricorn District). Hundreds of buses and minibus taxis are expected to transport commuters from across Limpopo's five districts to the main venue.

Mathye issued a strong appeal for compliance with road safety regulations, stressing no overloading, no drinking and driving, no speeding, and urging rest and patience. The department wished all workers a safe, peaceful, and successful International Workers' Day.