A male and female officer from the South African Police Service (SAPS), along with a taxi driver transporting 24 passengers, were arrested on Saturday night for drunk driving during weekend by-law enforcement operations in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Department of Transport and Human Settlements confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Sunday.
Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma, said a total of 27 people were arrested during just two major multi-disciplinary road operations conducted on Saturday night.
“Shockingly, a male police officer from Port Edward SAPS was found to have an alcohol content of 1.05 mg/L – more than six times the legal limit,” said Sibiya.
“Disappointingly, a female officer from Southport Police Station in Port Shepstone was also arrested, with a breath alcohol content of 0.85 mg/L – four times over the legal limit.”
In a particularly serious case in Ladysmith, officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) arrested a minibus taxi driver carrying 24 passengers – eight more than legally allowed.
“Critically, the driver was found to be under the influence, with an alcohol content of 1.08 mg/L – five times the legal limit,” said Sibiya.
Duma said the department has been instructed to prepare a comprehensive report for the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, which is tasked with ensuring collaboration among law enforcement and justice departments to combat crime and uphold national security.
“The arrest of police officers – and a senior public prosecutor in another recent case – for drunk driving is a serious violation that demands urgent attention,” Duma said.
The department praised the efforts of the RTI, saying its members are responding with urgency to the call for safer roads.
“We remain firm and determined to protect innocent families from the devastation caused by heartless and reckless motorists,” said Sibiya.