A total of 411 motorists, including a popular radio presenter were arrested over the weekend for drunken driving in the Buffalo city and Nelson Mandela metro over the weekend.
The operation, which was launched on Friday night in East London by Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Ghishma Barry, involved members of provincial and municipal traffic, South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Health with a primary focus on drunken driving.
It marked the end of the two national Law Enforcement Technical Committee meeting held in East London chaired by the Road Traffic Management Corporation and was attend by heads of traffic from all nine provinces, metros and municipal traffic authorities.
During the operation, drunk drivers were arrested as follows:
* East London: 187
* Mdantsane: 81
* King Williams Town: 99
* Port Elizabeth: 44
They include nine SAPS members, five prison warders, two directors from the Department of Housing and Department of Education, five educators, a prosecutor, a reverend, a popular radio presenter and an auditor.
Traffic officers also suspended 160 vehicles that were not road worthy, issued 134 summonses, executed 39 warrants of arrest, and arrested two people for reckless and negligent driving.
Media contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 082 442 2388
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
21 February 2010
