KZN drunk-driving arrest: ‘I was drinking because my party lost’ [video]
A KwaZulu-Natal drunk-driving arrest has gone viral for the most unusual of reasons.
The motorist, stopped by traffic officers in Greytown, broke down in tears and blamed his drinking on his political party’s poor showing in the local government elections.
He then made an unexpected request: arrest everyone else too.
READ | Tshwane election results: Which collation can keep the water flowing and lights on?
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma shared the incident in a statement on Saturday, 7 November.
Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers arrested the man during the province’s #NenzaniLaEzweni road safety operation in the Umvoti Local Municipality.
What the motorist told officers after his KZN drunk-driving arrest
According to Duma, the motorist cried uncontrollably after his arrest.
“He cited the loss of his political party in the local government elections as the main reason for his drinking and driving behaviour,” Duma said.
The man argued that he should not be singled out.
He told officers that other motorists were also drinking, some to celebrate their parties’ victories and others, like him, to cope with defeat.
He then urged the RTI to intensify the operation.
He did not name his party in the video, which social media users have since shared widely.
Who else officers caught in the KZN drunk-driving arrest blitz
The Greytown motorist was not the only one caught.
Officers did not stop at the Greytown motorist. Duma said RTI officers arrested people from all walks of life for drunk driving in the Umvoti area, including:
- a South African Police Service warrant officer
- a taxi driver
- a truck driver
- two unemployed people
- a pensioner
- an administrative clerk.
More than 7 000 arrests
Since the launch of the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, the RTI has arrested more than 7 110 motorists for drunk driving, Duma said.
He said the operation would be stepped up as the festive season approaches.
Drunk driving is a criminal offence.
A conviction can lead to a fine, a prison sentence or both, as well as a criminal record.
The message from traffic officials is simple: whether you are celebrating or commiserating this festive season, don’t drink and drive.
Book an e-hailing ride, use a designated driver or stay over.
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.