A taxi driver in Newcastle was arrested after attempting to flee on foot during a roadblock, underscoring the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s firm stance against drunk driving as holiday traffic peaks across the province.
The arrest took place on Sunday afternoon during the ongoing #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, a province-wide road safety campaign led by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI). According to the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, the driver was quickly apprehended by RTI officers after trying to evade arrest. He is facing charges of driving under the influence.
The incident comes amid heavy festive-season traffic as visitors return home after holidays spent across KwaZulu-Natal. Between 6am and 7am on Monday morning, more than 600 vehicles passed through the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, reflecting the pressure on the province’s road network.
MEC Duma said the RTI’s visibility and enforcement have been intensified to protect both residents and visitors. “We are enforcing zero tolerance for violations of the National Road Traffic Act. No one is capable of evading the RTI during the execution of #NenzaniLaEzweni,” he said.
Newcastle has been a key focus area, particularly along routes frequently used by long-distance travellers and public transport operators. Over the weekend, RTI officers made 100 arrests in the Newcastle area alone:
32 arrests from Friday evening to Saturday morning
36 arrests from Saturday evening to Sunday morning
32 arrests on Sunday afternoon
Those arrested include a range of professionals, among them two minibus taxi drivers, a police officer, two teachers, a traditional healer, and a phlebotomist, highlighting that enforcement applies equally to all road users.
By 6pm on Sunday, RTI had already arrested 29 motorists on drunk-driving charges, including the taxi driver who attempted to escape. In a separate incident, three individuals who tried to interfere with officers making arrests were themselves taken into custody.
The department praised the collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Newcastle Traffic Department, and the Department of Health, noting that coordinated operations have strengthened enforcement and emergency response during the busy festive period.
Authorities have once again urged motorists to obey traffic laws, avoid drinking and driving, and exercise patience as traffic volumes remain high in the days leading up to the New Year.