KZN's Alufakwa campaign: Rising arrests of women for drunk driving

With the festive season just around the corner, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is intensifying its Alufakwa Zero Tolerance campaign, drawing attention to a troubling statistic of more women being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).

The trend reflects a broader societal issue, as alcohol consumption continues to erode family structures and values.

Since mid-August, a total of 960 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving in the province, with 64 arrests occurring since Friday.

This ongoing initiative is a response to the alarming road safety statistics, which attribute a staggering 87% of road fatalities in the province to poor user behaviour.

MEC Siboniso Duma stated that the erosion of traditional societal powers of censure, coupled with increased alcohol consumption, is destroying families.

He urged society to pause and reflect on the kind of environment we wish to create for future generations.

"In Port Shepstone, authorities arrested a mother driving with her children in the vehicle. She was under the influence of alcohol and she cried uncontrollably. We had to protect her, her children, and other road users. In Estcourt and eMpangeni, we also arrested women driving under the influence of alcohol." 

Duma urged religious leaders, parents, and extended families to prioritise building strong family units.

"We are seeing changes in lifestyle that are having a huge negative impact on family values. Our Provincial Chaplain Apostle Vivo Mpungose is working with church-based organisations to champion road safety programmes and the building of strong family values." 

Noting the blitz operations in various parts of the province, Duma highlighted that by 11pm on Friday night, 13 motorists had already been apprehended in Estcourt for driving under the influence.

"With the arrest of 13 motorists for drunk driving in Estcourt, we are satisfied with the progress made by our dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI)." 

MEC Duma commended the eMpangeni RTI team for its 31 arrests.

"Arrest all of them - women and men - in order to save innocent road users. Have no mercy on motorists who are driving under the influence of alcohol. I salute our highly energised team in eMpangeni for arresting 31 motorists." 

Duma said 20 motorists were arrested in a major crackdown in Pietermaritzburg. "We are relentless in our efforts to prevent carnage on our roads as a result of intoxicated drivers."

The MEC said the department is setting the tone for the festive season, with research having proven that changing road user behaviour is central to making the roads safer.

"This compels us to sustain our programme of behavioural change in various corners of the province," he said, adding that the department is encouraged by messages of support from community members and leaders of society.

Duma highlighted that the department has seen a drastic reduction in road fatalities and crashes since August.

"We want to use the period moving forward into the festive season until Easter to advance the country's road safety initiatives further and achieve our commitment to the United Nations Decade of Action Road Safety target of reducing fatalities by 50% in 2030." 

Meanwhile, in a separate matter, Duma reported that a Durban man was convicted and sentenced after being caught driving at 217 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on September 28.

The civil engineer was arrested and detained at Scottburgh SAPS for exceeding the prescribed speed limit. He was later released on R2,000 bail.

"The accused appeared in court on 30 October 2025, where he pleaded guilty to the offence. He was fined R35,000 or sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, with half of the sentence suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during this period." 

Duma said the 43-year-old man from Reservoir Hills, who was driving a BMW M3, was caught by a highly motivated Road Traffic Inspectorate team.

"We pay tribute to RTI Officers T Simpson and R Brijlall for their ability to sustain a no-nonsense, zero-tolerance, and Alufakwa campaign." 

In addition, he said just days prior to this, a lawyer was convicted and sentenced for speeding and reckless driving.

The MEC said the recent successful prosecutions and convictions are a result of an integrated approach involving RTI, the South African Police Service, and the Justice and Constitutional Development Department.

"RTI will continue to be firm, as we don't want reckless drivers to turn KZN road networks into killing fields."