Drunken drivers and speedsters arrested

The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) released a statement on the highly intensified operations held in Ekurhuni between December 1 and New Year’s day in Ekurhuleni.

EMPD spokesman Wilfred Kgasago said these operations were carried out by law enforcers with a no-nonsense approach to irresponsible drivers putting the lives of innocent road users at risk during the festive season.

They made a total of 341 arrests with the majority being drivers under the influence of alcohol.

Two hundred and eleven people were arrested for drunken driving, including a driver who was responsible for the death of a pedestrian on a sidewalk in the Germiston central business district.

Kgasago added that, of the total of 22 people who died, there were eight pedestrians, three motorcyclists, seven drivers and four passengers.

Included among the eight pedestrians was a seven-year-old girl who was run over in Tembisa and a female passenger who died on the N3 southbound near Leondale.

The 130 arrested speeders included a driver in a BMW sedan clocked at 213km/h on the R21 in Olifantsfontein.

The 77 other arrests were for various crimes including possession of hijacked vehicles, dealing in narcotics and a drunk metro police imposter in full uniform soliciting bribes from motorists in Katlehong.

The six drug dealers who were arrested in Boksburg, Germiston and Brakpan were found in possession of cat, crystal meth, dagga and Mandrax valued at over R200 000.