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Drunken driving sweep targets high-risk routes
Eastern Cape Provincial Traffic officers arrested 109 motorists for driving under the influence during a weekend clean-up from 21 to 23 November 2025.
The operations, part of the Department of Transport’s pre-festive road safety campaign, were rolled out across key routes and hotspots in the province. Among those arrested was a government employee caught driving a state vehicle near Kei Cuttings on the N2 — close to where a fatal crash claimed a transport official’s life just a day earlier.
“Each arrest is a life potentially saved,” said MEC Xolile Nqatha. “We commend our officers for their dedication to keeping roads safe.”
What happened during the weekend blitz
The clean-up weekend saw officers increase visibility and breathalyser checkpoints, particularly on major corridors leading in and out of urban centres.
The crackdown was part of a larger plan to curb road deaths and prevent reckless behaviour ahead of the December travel surge.
Key weekend enforcement statistics:
- 109 drunken driving arrests
- Operations conducted province-wide
- 1 state official caught driving under the influence
- Increased visibility on N2, R61, N6 and regional roads
Official response and next steps
The Department condemned the arrested government driver’s behaviour, calling it “deeply disturbing.” MEC Nqatha reiterated that no one — including state employees — is above the law.
He thanked officers for their “professionalism and unwavering commitment to protecting lives.”
These enforcement efforts fall under the province’s broader Festive Season Road Safety Plan, which includes:
- Targeted patrols at high-fatality zones
- Public awareness drives
- Joint operations with SAPS and local authorities
Community urged to prioritise safety
Motorists are being urged to plan ahead, designate sober drivers, and expect intensified traffic enforcement into December.
