KZN Department Reaffirms Commitment to Road Safety Amid Surge in Drunk Driving Arrests

KZN Department Reaffirms Commitment to Road Safety Amid Surge in Drunk Driving Arrests. 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. 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 & 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. Fifth learner from Pietermaritzburg scholar transport crash dies. 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. Fuma 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.

Surge in Drunk Driving Arrests Across KZN

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s recent crackdown on road safety has yielded significant results, with a notable surge in arrests for driving under the influence. Since the launch of intensified operations on 15 August 2025, law enforcement has apprehended over 293 motorists for drunk driving, a figure that underscores the ongoing challenge of alcohol-related offences on the province’s roads. The past weekend alone saw 93 arrests, distributed across key areas: 33 in Kokstad, 24 in Durban’s Umhlanga area, 20 in Pietermaritzburg, and 16 in Ladysmith. These numbers reflect a targeted approach in both urban and rural hotspots, where checkpoints and random breathalyser tests have been ramped up.

This increase in arrests is part of the department’s Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense, and Alufakwa Campaign, which aims to eliminate reckless behaviour and criminal exploitation of road networks. The campaign has focused on high-risk periods like weekends and evenings, when alcohol consumption tends to peak. Officials note that many arrested drivers had blood alcohol levels well above the legal limit of 0.05g/100ml, with some testing as high as 0.24g/100ml—five times the limit. Penalties for such offences include fines up to R120,000, licence suspensions, and potential jail time, serving as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

The operations have also uncovered related crimes, such as possession of illegal substances or outstanding warrants, broadening the impact on overall public safety. In Kokstad, for instance, several arrests involved drivers transporting undocumented passengers, linking to broader immigration enforcement efforts. This multi-faceted strategy has received praise from road safety experts, who argue it addresses not just drinking and driving but the interconnected web of criminal activities on KZN’s highways.

Strong Partnerships Key to Success

MEC Siboniso Duma has been vocal about the importance of collaboration in these efforts, commending the Road Traffic Inspectorate for their efficiency and dedication. “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,” Duma stated. This integrated approach has seen metro police and provincial traffic units working side by side, sharing resources like breathalysers and vehicles to cover more ground.

Private security companies have also played a pivotal role, with firms such as KZN VIP Protection, Blue Security, and Marshal Security providing additional manpower and surveillance support. “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 added. These partnerships extend to intelligence sharing, where security firms report suspicious vehicles or behaviours, allowing for proactive interventions.

Civil society has not been left out, with ratepayers’ associations and NGOs offering vocal support. Duma singled out Jacques Poupard of the Umhlanga Ratepayers & Residents Association and Julian Pillay, National Director of the Vehicle Testing Association, for their encouragement. Social media has amplified this backing, with posts praising the campaign’s toughness and sharing personal stories of near-misses with drunk drivers. This community buy-in is crucial, as it fosters a culture of reporting and vigilance, turning ordinary citizens into eyes and ears for law enforcement.

Tragic Scholar Transport Accident Claims Fifth Life

Amid the road safety push, tragedy struck with the death toll from a recent scholar transport accident in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg, rising to five. Fifteen-year-old Nomalanga Ndawonde, a Grade 9 learner at Zibukezulu High School, succumbed to severe brain injuries at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital. She was among 20 learners injured when their Toyota Siyaya minibus taxi suffered brake failure on T22 Road in Unit 18, Imbali Township, veering off the road, hitting a tree, and crashing into Senzokuhle Pre-School on 11 September 2025.

The accident, occurring during the morning school run, initially claimed four lives at the scene, with Ndawonde fighting for survival until her passing on 18 September 2025. Eleven other learners remain hospitalised, some with critical injuries like fractures and internal bleeding. The driver, who survived with minor injuries, faces charges of culpable homicide and reckless driving, pending a mechanical investigation into the brake failure.

Duma expressed deep sorrow: “We were nursing hope that she was going to survive and rejoin her Grade 9 classmates. Sadly, she has left us.” The department has dispatched support teams to assist the Ndawonde family, providing counselling and logistical aid for funeral arrangements. An integrated response team, including Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, Umgungundlovu District Mayor Mzi Zuma, Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla, and local councillors, has been mobilised to help all affected families and schools.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns with scholar transport safety in KZN. Overcrowded vehicles, poor maintenance, and unqualified drivers contribute to frequent accidents. In 2024 alone, 15 scholar transport crashes claimed 25 lives province-wide, prompting calls for stricter regulations. The department has since inspected over 5,000 vehicles, revoking licences for 300 non-compliant operators.

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