Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Since Friday, a total of 52 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving in Pietermaritzburg and Kokstad.
Apart from earning yourself a criminal record of up to ten years, drunk motorists, if arrested over a weekend, can be detained a maximum time of 72hours in the holding cells with hardcore criminals.
Since the 15th August 2025, we have arrested 489 motorists for drunk driving. This number excludes operations that were executed last night in Newcastle.
Critically, there are 26 police stations in UMgungundlovu district. With our Alufakwa and Zero Tolerance operation in full swing, holding cells in Pietermaritzburg reached full capacity this morning.
Going forward, this presents a challenge, as we are going to need adequate space for detained motorists charged for drunk driving. Such individuals can’t be allowed to use our road networks, as they will kill other road users.
I wish to assure our RTI team that, based on their report and their successful operation, I will take up this matter with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
Finally, we wish to remind motorists that section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 (the “NRA”’) sets out the legal limits and prohibitions for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
In terms of the act, no one shall drive or even occupy the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle on a public road if they are over the legal limit.
Ends
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements