KZN Prosecutor Among 54 Arrested for Drunk Driving During Provincial Crackdown
A public prosecutor was among dozens of motorists arrested on Friday night in KwaZulu-Natal for drunk driving, highlighting how widespread the problem of alcohol abuse has become on South African roads.
The 44-year-old woman, who has not yet appeared in court, was caught just after 11pm on Marine Drive in Margate, Port Shepstone. Her breathalyser reading was 0.83mg/L — more than four times the legal limit. She was arrested as part of a province-wide operation targeting alcohol-related road fatalities.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate, described by officials as “highly dedicated and efficient,” made the arrest during women-led roadblocks in recognition of Women’s Month. Authorities said her case should send a strong message that no one, not even members of the legal profession, is above the law.
MEC Duma: “No Nonsense” Approach to Drunk Driving
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said the arrest underlines the seriousness of the province’s “Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense and Alufakwa” campaign against drunk driving. He added that the case should spark conversations within the legal fraternity about their role in reducing road deaths linked to alcohol.
Duma also painted a grim picture of the effects of alcohol abuse, saying it continues to devastate communities by “ravaging families, creating orphans, widows and leaving a trail of destruction.” His message was clear: drunk driving operations will target everyone equally, regardless of social or professional standing.
Alcohol’s Deadly Toll
Research shows that alcohol abuse is linked to more than 62,000 deaths annually in South Africa, costing the economy over R433 billion through healthcare, lost productivity, and accidents. KwaZulu-Natal has been particularly hard-hit, with binge drinking fueling a rise in fatal crashes.
54 Arrests in One Night
Friday’s operation saw 54 people arrested across the province:
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Durban: 21
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Pietermaritzburg: 18
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Ladysmith: 14
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Empangeni: 1
In the past two weeks alone, more than 130 motorists have been arrested in similar stings, which target high-risk areas and weekend evenings when alcohol-related incidents spike.
A Call for Collective Action
Duma admitted that his department cannot win this battle on its own. He urged South Africans to come together, saying the country must confront its “pervasive binge-drinking culture” if it is to make real progress in reducing road deaths.