The ramifications of intoxicated driving have long been a grave concern in South Africa, leading to numerous accidents, injuries, and fatalities. However, while the seriousness of the situation cannot be overstated, some incidents during weekend roadblocks in Umhlanga Rocks and Durban North displayed a peculiar sense of the absurd.
Among the 67 motorists arrested for drunk driving, one driver urinated out of fear. Perhaps the most striking incident involved another driver waiting for a traffic light to turn green at a stop sign. A third allegedly demanded to be detained in the holding cells with a sea view of Umhlanga Beach.
All 67 will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today (Monday).
On Friday, Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) members arrested 27 motorists, including four females, during Nenzani La Ezweni operations in Umhlanga Rocks and Durban North.
On Saturday evening, 40 additional motorists were arrested in Durban North.
Image: Facebook
Reflecting on the incidents Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, said: “A Polo driver was arrested at the intersection, where he was stopped at a stop sign. When RTI members asked the driver why it took him so long to proceed, he said that he was waiting for the traffic light to turn green. But he was stationed at a stop street and not at a traffic light.”
Duma said the driver and his passenger were both too drunk and exhibited alcohol-induced visual hallucinations.
He said some of the dramatic arrests included a woman in a red dress who cried uncontrollably and pleaded her innocence.
“She insisted that she only drank tea and was coming from the gym. She refused to be associated with alcohol and said she preferred the gym to build her strength and herbal tea to sustain her good mental well-being.
“Another motorist was so terrified when asked Nenzani La Ezweni (what are you doing in this world), to the extent of urinating himself. He subsequently offered a bribe of between R500 and R1200, while the Department of Transport was live on Facebook.”
Duma said one motorist from Umhlanga demanded to be detained in the holding cells with a sea view along Umhlanga Beach.
These incidents, while they may incite disbelief or even laughter under different circumstances, highlight the dangers intoxicated motorists pose to themselves and the wider community.
One motorist, said Duma, had a blood alcohol concentration ten times over the legal limit.
The oldest motorist arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol was 58 years old, and the youngest was 21.
The department had gone live on their Facebook page during both roadblocks, showing the behaviour of the drivers who were allegedly drunk.
During the department’s Facebook live video on Friday, an alleged drunk driver of a gold BMW allegedly offered RTI officers a bribe for him not to be arrested, and he then accused the officers of damaging his vehicle.
The man was filmed refusing to switch off his vehicle, insisting he needed to drive it to move it. After about 10 minutes, he complied and was arrested.
Duma said they were overwhelmed by the positive feedback from the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the country, who followed the live streaming of the Nenzani La Ezweni operations.
“People were supporting RTI for removing over-intoxicated motorists.”
He said they were encouraged by the decline in road fatalities and accidents since the launch of the Easter Road Safety campaign last week, and in order to ensure successful prosecution, RTI was following the Criminal Procedure Act by working with nurses deployed by the Durban Metro Police and the KZN Department of Health.
He said with the Nenzani La Ezweni Easter operation in full swing, nurses were managing the mandatory processing of blood samples drawn from motorists.
Duma said more than 80 roadblocks, focusing on drunk driving, would be executed as part of the Easter holidays and Passover weekend road safety plan.
“Our message has not changed and is very clear. Do not drink and drive and earn yourself a criminal record. You also stand a good chance of spending 48 hours in holding cells with hardened criminals.
As we announced, we will execute 148 multidisciplinary roadblocks and 118 speed operations in high accident zones and other areas frequented by visitors and worshippers.”
In a statement last week, Duma said the department had set a target of achieving a 10% decrease in road fatalities this Easter holiday and Passover long weekend.
He said during Easter 2025, the department recorded a 38% decrease in the number of fatalities compared to the 43% they recorded in 2024.
“We have deployed more than 3,483 law enforcement officers and 105 national police officers, and they will all execute the Nenzani La Ezweni Operation with precision. They will be operating 24 hours a day – seven days a week – until May 3.
“We will have 148 multidisciplinary roadblocks. More than 80 roadblocks will focus on drunk driving alone. We will execute more than 118 speed operations in high-accident zones and other areas frequented by visitors and worshippers.
“There are more than 17 interprovincial roadblocks that will be undertaken by a roving team of law enforcement officers. In addition, we understand that there are school educational tours during the Easter holidays. In this regard, we will execute more than 91 operations focusing on scholar transport.
“Unroadworthy vehicles and taxis will be removed. We will target not only drivers but also the owners of these vehicles. Critically, for the first time, through 28 pedestrian enforcement operations, we will clamp down against drunk pedestrians who will be walking on busy roads.”
