A woman was arrested after she enjoyed a drink in a parking lot in front of a shopping centre.
What the woman did not bargain on, was that an off duty policeman also popped into the shopping centre and reprimanded her about the beverage she was taking in a public space.
The woman was furious and accused police spokesperson Sgt David Ratau of wanting a tjo-tjo.
“This lady had two children in her car. She was also putting their life at risk. We do not tolerate that,” Sgt Ratau said.
The woman was arrested for drinking in public and crimen injuria.
Capt Eddie Hall, police spokesperson did a bit of research and said from November 1 to November 30, 35 motorists were arrested for drunk and driving.
From December 1 to December 6, 14 motorists landed behind bars for the contravention of the same traffic law.
“We found that alcohol is the biggest factor to most of the accidents on our roads,” said Capt Hall and highlighted that in eMalahleni alone 500 and more accidents are reported on a monthly basis. In Vosman close to 300 accidents are reported monthly.
Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane said:
“The days of drunk drivers are slowly coming to an end; motorists must make arrangements after taking alcohol to be transported home or rather arrange accommodation because we will not have mercy when we find them driving under the influence of alcohol.”
Motorists who has unpaid traffic fines violations will also feel the leash pulling them back when a system will be introduced which will assist to trace motorists who have warrants of arrests for unpaid traffic violations.
This project will be the baby of the Traffic Intervention Unit (TIU), which will receive all the court warrants and follow the defaulters either at their addresses or place of work. The defaulters will be arrested as prescribed by the warrants and also for contempt of court.
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