KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has condemned the actions of a drunk driver who wreaked havoc on the N3, assaulting a traffic officer and colliding with several vehicles in a bid to escape arrest.
The chaos unfolded around 02h30 on Sunday when a distressed female motorist alerted the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) after being hit by a drunk driver who fled the scene. Officers later intercepted a white Mahindra bakkie on Chota Motala Road northbound.
“When confronted, the drunk driver assaulted the RTI officer and fled. Whilst fleeing, the Mahindra collided with other vehicles on the N3. The drunk driver drove through the Howick area and collided with another vehicle before heading towards Hilton via the R103,” Duma said.
On Hilton Avenue, the suspect’s bakkie again struck a light delivery vehicle. RTI officer Phiwokuhle Ndabezitha was injured during the pursuit when he rear-ended the suspect’s vehicle in an effort to stop him.
“We wish him a speedy recovery. He showed bravery and went an extra mile to save innocent lives,” Duma added.
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The motorist was arrested and has been remanded in custody. He now faces multiple charges, including assault, reckless and negligent driving, and fleeing the scene of an accident.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, RTI officers arrested an IT specialist on the N2 near Park Rynie after he was caught speeding at 192km/h.
Duma said these incidents illustrate his department’s zero tolerance approach to reckless behaviour on the roads. “Months ago, I mandated the team to clean up our road networks by coming down very hard on reckless and drunk motorists. It is for these reasons we have advertised 278 posts of traffic officers as part of strengthening our dedicated and efficient RTI team,” he said.
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