Over 100 drunk driving arrests made in weekend roadblocks in uMhlanga, Empangeni and Estcourt
Over 100 people were arrested for drunk driving at the weekend in roadblocks in Estcourt, Empangeni and uMhlanga Rocks.
Image: KZN Department of Transport / Facebook
KwaZulu-Natal's intensified crackdown on drunk driving has led to over 100 arrests in just one weekend, with authorities emphasising the need for behavioural change and road safety ahead of the festive season.
More than 100 motorists were arrested for drunk driving across the province over the weekend according to the KZN Department of Transport.
Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma commended law enforcement officers for what he described as “systematically altering behavioural change through sustained law enforcement.”
According to the Department of Transport, by 11pm on Friday, 13 motorists had already been arrested in Estcourt for driving under the influence.
Duma stated that the department’s Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) teams have been working diligently “to make our roads safer” ahead of the festive season.
“With the arrest of 13 motorists for drunk driving in Estcourt, we are satisfied with the fact that our highly dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate is systematically altering behavioural change through sustained law enforcement,” said Duma.
By Saturday night, the number of arrests in Estcourt had risen to 26, with Duma expressing concern over the number of women apprehended for drunk driving while travelling with children.
Elsewhere in the province, 26 motorists were arrested in Umhlanga Rocks and 84 in Empangeni at the weekend.
“I have mandated our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate to clean up our road networks in suburbs, townships, and in every corner of the province,” Duma said following the Umhlanga arrests.
He added that research has shown “up to 87 percent of all road fatalities in the country can be attributed to road user behaviour,” which underscores the department’s ongoing focus on education and enforcement.
The MEC revealed that since 15 August 2025, a total of 909 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving in KZN. “We have seen a drastic reduction in road fatalities and crashes since August,” he said.
Duma reiterated the department’s commitment to the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety target of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030, pledging that the province’s “Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense, Alufakwa” campaign will continue into the festive season.