Drunk driving clampdown ahead of the festive season

AFTER much scrutiny of the uMhlathuze Traffic Department by the public, residents within Ward 2 were last week given the opportunity to pose their questions directly to the Chief of Traffic.

At a meeting arranged by Ward 2 councillor Christo Botha, Chief of Traffic, Mr Ndlovu, was on hand to answer questions posed, and respond to some issues.

Most recently, a Meerensee CPF member was involved in a car accident with a suspected drunk driver who managed to leave the scene.

‘We do not condone suspected drunk drivers leaving the scene of an accident and I have launched an investigation into this particular incident,’ said Ndlovu.

He said he has set up a team dedicated to dealing with drunk driving, and that he is ashamed of the low number of drunk driving cases.

‘Since the inception of this team, we made 15 drunk driving arrests in September alone.’

While Ndlovu is actively involved in trying to clamp down on drunk driving, he said the drawing of blood to determine the blood-alcohol level is a major stumbling block.

‘In one instance we took a suspected drunk driver to an eNseleni clinic whose sister, while having no patients to see to, refused to take our suspect’s blood, saying it was not in their jurisdiction.

‘Our officers had to take the man to Ngwelezana Hospital and, because of their heavy workload, the nurses kept our officers waiting longer than two hours before drawing blood.’

Ndlovu said the two hour window after the arrest of a suspected drunk driver is crucial because a blood sample taken any later cannot be used as evidence.

‘This jurisdiction issue at the clinic is ongoing, and has got so bad that I recently arrested a doctor for failing to take instruction from a police officer,’ said Ndlovu.

He said the drunk driving clampdown will continue.

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Bribery

Ndlovu also spoke about bribery within the traffic department.

‘An investigation revealed two officers who were forcing bribes from motorists.

‘Disciplinary proceedings were launched and the officers resigned.’

Concerns were raised over the apparent unwillingness of traffic officers to enforce the law that prohibits the transport of people in vehicles’ goods compartments.

‘The issue with this law is that it states people cannot be transported in goods compartments for reward,’ said Ndlovu.

‘Drivers deny they are being paid to transport children in goods compartments and, as officers of the law, we cannot prove that they are.’

Bound by the parameters of the law, officers can in these cases only check the vehicles’ general roadworthiness and the drivers’ licenses.

‘We are working hard to foster good relationships between the CPFs and law enforcement, and traffic department management will start attending CPFs’ monthly meetings.’

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