Kwazulu-natal: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has reaffirmed its commitment to improving road safety and ensuring that the province’s transport networks do not become a playground for reckless drivers and criminals. This follows a surge in drinking and driving arrests, with more than 293 motorists apprehended since 15 August, including 93 over the past weekend alone.
According to South African Government News Agency, Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, commended the dedication and efficiency of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and acknowledged the strong support received from law enforcement partners. ‘We value the enduring partnership with Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who deployed the South African Police Service. Traffic officers from eThekwini Metro, Umsunduzi, Kokstad, and Ladysmith augmented our operations. We remain encouraged by contributions from private security companies such as KZN VIP Protection, Blue Security, Marshal Security, and many others; too many to mention,’ Duma said.
Over the weekend alone, 33 drunk motorists were arrested in Kokstad, 24 in Durban (Umhlanga), 20 in Pietermaritzburg, and 16 in Ladysmith. Duma also acknowledged the encouragement received from civil society, including ratepayers’ associations, non-governmental organisations, and members of the public, who have expressed support on social media for the province’s tough stance on drinking and driving. ‘Importantly, we wish to single out Jacques Poupard of the Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA), Julian Pillay, the National Director of the Vehicle Testing Association, and many others. Our Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense, and Alufakwa Campaign will continue to target suburbs, city centres, townships, and many other areas. We do want to make sure that criminal groups and individuals do not use our road networks to cause public disturbance or to commit crimes anywhere in the province,’ Duma said.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the recent scholar transport accident in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg, has risen to five after a Grade 9 learner succumbed to her injuries. Fifteen-year-old Nomalanga Ndawonde, a learner at Zibukezulu High School, passed away at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital after suffering severe brain injuries. She was among the learners who survived when a Toyota Siyaya minibus taxi experienced brake failure while descending T22 Road in Unit 18, Imbali Township. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a tree, and crashed into Senzokuhle Pre-School.
Duma expressed heartfelt condolences to the Ndawonde family, noting that the department has dispatched a support team to assist the family during this difficult period. ‘We were nursing hope that she was going to survive and rejoin her Grade 9 classmates. Sadly, she has left us,’ Duma said. He added that an integrated response team, including Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, Umgungundlovu District Mayor Mzi Zuma, Umsunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla, and local councillors, has been mobilised to assist affected families and schools. Four other learners who died in the crash have been laid to rest.