Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent gives Easter long weekend rundown and drunken driving stats

While festive celebrations took place over the long Easter weekend, Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar vowed that a no-holds-barred approach would be in order for those who infringed on the rule of law during this period.

Speaking before the long weekend, Minnaar said, “Metro police officers will be out in full force this long weekend. Roadblocks will be set up and officers will be [deployed] on all major routes as well as in both townships and suburban areas.”

However, following the conclusion of the Easter festivities on 17 April, Minnaar gave an account of several incidences encountered by Metro police.

“I can confirm that more than 800 drunken drivers were arrested in Joburg this past Easter weekend. I can also confirm that 22 drivers were arrested for speeding in excess of 161km per hour in a 120km zone on the N1 Maraisburg [Randburg] on Saturday morning. The fastest speed recorded there was a Suzuki motorcycle travelling at 222km per hour,” said Minnaar.

He said fatalities were also recorded. “There was an accident on the N12 highway, [in which] a silver BMW bumped into a pedestrian [following which] the driver collided with a concrete wall. Both the pedestrian and driver, including two female passengers died at the scene. A number of liquor bottles, that were ejected from inside the vehicle, were discovered.

“In a separate incident, a driver lost control of a vehicle and went up an embankment on the N12 East Xavier. The driver and a passenger were declared dead on the scene, and alcohol bottles were also recovered from within the vehicle.”

Edited by Stacey Woensdregt

Read: Metro Cop Chief signals out strong message to potential law breakers

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