Ahead of the Easter holidays, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has issued a stern warning to motorists, stating that no professional status or social position will shield reckless drivers from arrest.
The warning follows a series of high-speed arrests conducted by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) as part of Operation #NenzaniLaEzweni. Among those recently detained are an attorney, a doctor, a teacher, and a SARS tax practitioner, all of whom were caught clocking speeds well above the 120 km/h limit.
Zero Tolerance Approach
The MEC’s office took the unusual step of naming several individuals who have already appeared in court to illustrate the province’s “no-nonsense” approach. According to the department, the highest speeds recorded included a taxi owner arrested for driving at 198 km/h and a tax practitioner who had been driving at 180 km/h.
The crackdown also targeted drunk driving, with one foreign national arrested after allegedly attempting to flee from RTI officers in Hibberdene. As stated on the official government website, road safety is a major concern in South Africa, and the RTI is working to reduce the high rate of road fatalities.
Enforcement Measures
MEC Duma emphasised that the RTI has been instructed to show zero leniency as traffic volumes are expected to surge over the Easter school holidays. Projections suggest that between 1,500 and 2,000 vehicles per hour will pass through provincial tollgates starting Thursday, April 2.
To demonstrate that nobody is above the law, RTI is arresting any reckless motorists irrespective of their occupation and position in society. The province is looking to build on the safety foundations laid during the previous festive season to reduce the high rate of road fatalities typically seen during the Easter period.
- 198 km/h: the highest speed recorded during the crackdown
- 180 km/h: the speed at which a tax practitioner was arrested
- 1,500-2,000 vehicles per hour: the expected traffic volume during the Easter holidays
For more information on road safety, visit the Wikipedia page on the topic.</p)
