Cops intensify efforts against drunk driving with 106 arrests in one night
One hundred and six drunk motorists were arrested in a single night as KwaZulu-Natal intensifies its fight against reckless driving during the Alufakwa Zero Tolerance campaign.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has commended members of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) for arresting 106 motorists in one night for drunk driving.
The operation formed part of the Alufakwa Zero Tolerance and No Nonsense campaign.
Duma said he was happy that the team was cleaning the province's road networks after he received a report from RTI at 1.30am on Saturday about the successful outcome of the operation.
The MEC commended the team for their efforts. “By arresting 106 motorists for drunk driving by 1.30 this morning, the team has displayed a high level of firmness and commitment to protecting innocent road users from reckless drivers.”
The department is encouraged by the public's support in removing irresponsible motorists from our roads, said Duma.
“These individuals have inflicted suffering on many families, with widows, orphans, and people living with disabilities having been created.”
According to the MEC, public records indicate that in 2022 alone, 12,436 people died on the road, and over 100,000 people were seriously injured per year.
He said males account for 75% of fatalities.
Duma said the department, in agreement with Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, will reinforce multidisciplinary operations from Transport Month through the festive season and beyond.
“We have a responsibility to deal decisively with those who are undermining public safety through excessive alcohol consumption.”
In addition, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi is deploying health professionals to administer blood samples during these operations to ensure successful prosecution.
“We have agreed to work together to ensure the reduction in trauma unit admissions for alcohol-related injuries,” he said.
Duma reiterated his warning to motorists: “Drink, drive, and earn yourself a criminal record as well as detention in holding cells for a maximum of 48 hours before you are granted bail or before your next court appearance.”
The Alufakwa campaign has conducted several operations with successful arrests in recent months.
Earlier this month, a truck driver who was transporting dangerous goods from Gauteng was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.37% and was arrested on Peter Brown’s Arrestor Bed on the N3.
The truck was impounded and kept at RTI’s Mkhondeni Testing Centre.
During a weekend operation, authorities arrested 52 motorists for drunk driving in Pietermaritzburg and Kokstad.
According to Duma, from August 15 to October 5, more than 400 motorists were arrested for drunk driving.
“There are 26 police stations in the UMgungundlovu district. With our Alufakwa and Zero Tolerance operation in full swing, holding cells in Pietermaritzburg reached full capacity this morning (October 5, 2025),” he had said.
In another operation on October 12, a multidisciplinary operation including the RTI, SAPS, and Umhlathuze Traffic officers led to the arrest of 12 motorists for drunk driving in Richards Bay and Empangeni.
The department reminded motorists that Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 (the “NRA”) sets out the legal limits and prohibitions for driving while 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.
karen.singh@inl.co.za