Durban, South Africa – November 30, 2025 – A suspected drunk driver was apprehended after a brief foot chase during an early-morning road safety operation on Florida Road, as part of the ongoing provincial #NenzaniLaEzweni campaign aimed at reducing road fatalities during the festive season.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. when officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) stopped the motorist during a routine checkpoint. Upon detection of signs of intoxication, the driver was taken into custody but managed to break free, fleeing on foot through nearby residential areas. Video footage captured by officers shows the suspect navigating between houses and along dimly lit streets before being cornered and tackled by pursuing RTI members. He was immediately re-secured without further resistance and transported for processing.
By the time of the arrest, the operation had already resulted in 23 motorists being detained for driving under the influence in the Florida Road area alone. The arrested driver now faces several charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest, and reckless and negligent driving. Authorities confirmed that breathalyzer tests administered at the scene indicated elevated alcohol levels, though specific readings were not disclosed pending formal laboratory analysis.
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who oversees the RTI, commended the rapid response of the joint task force involved. “The no-nonsense RTI team, working alongside Durban Metro Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS), did exceedingly well by cleaning up that part of the province,” Duma stated during a media briefing following the operation. He emphasized that the early interventions, starting as early as 2 a.m., are designed to protect all road users from the dangers posed by impaired drivers.
The #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, which translates to “Do Not Kill Us on the Road” in isiZulu, was launched earlier in the year as a multi-agency initiative to intensify enforcement against high-risk behaviors on KwaZulu-Natal’s roadways. It involves coordinated efforts from RTI, SAPS, municipal traffic units, and private security firms, with a focus on high-traffic areas like Florida Road, a busy corridor known for nightlife and increased vehicle movement during weekends.
Duma highlighted the operation’s broader impact, noting that similar crackdowns in recent weeks have led to hundreds of arrests province-wide. For instance, over the past two nights prior to this event, 226 drivers were apprehended for drunk driving across various locations. In a related enforcement action in Richards Bay, Empangeni, and Esikhaleni, 113 motorists were arrested, including a taxi operator whose blood alcohol level was measured at 16 times the legal limit. Health professionals from the provincial health department were on site to conduct blood tests, ensuring accurate evidence for prosecutions.
The campaign also extends to other violations, such as operating unroadworthy vehicles and employing undocumented drivers. In October, the operation uncovered a network of fraudulent licenses among foreign truck drivers, resulting in the arrest of over 15 undocumented nationals and the suspension of multiple commercial vehicles. Duma has mandated RTI to pursue company owners employing such drivers, with arrests already issued for related offenses.
All arrested individuals from the Florida Road operation, including the fugitive driver, are scheduled to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday and Tuesday for initial hearings. Duma reiterated the province’s zero-tolerance policy, stating, “We will never fold our arms when there is an increasing number of people who feel unsafe on our road networks as a result of reckless drivers.” The MEC urged motorists to plan for sober transport options during the holiday period, warning that checkpoints will continue unabated.
This incident underscores the escalating focus on road safety in KwaZulu-Natal, where impaired driving remains a leading cause of crashes. Officials reported that the operation’s visibility has been positively received by communities, with public tips contributing to several arrests. As the festive season progresses, the joint teams plan to expand coverage to suburbs, townships, and major highways to maintain momentum.
