A high-profile speeding arrest in KwaZulu-Natal has sparked controversy after a relative of a senior government official was allegedly caught driving at 222km/h in a 120km/h zone during a provincial road safety operation.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate said the motorist was stopped on Saturday as part of an ongoing crackdown on reckless and excessive speeding on the province’s roads.
Authorities allege that shortly after the arrest, senior officials made a series of urgent calls in an apparent attempt to intervene because of the suspect’s political connections.
Despite the reported pressure, officials say the arrest proceeded without interference.
Ndabezinhle Sibiya said Sboniso Duma is expected to release details on Monday regarding motorists arrested, convicted, and sentenced for speeding offences across the province.
Sibiya also warned motorists not to assume that a recent ruling by the Western Cape High Court would apply in KwaZulu-Natal.
The court previously ruled that speeding is not classified as a Schedule 1 offence and that an arrest made under those circumstances was unlawful.
However, Sibiya said Duma had emphasised that the judgment does not bind authorities in KwaZulu-Natal and that law enforcement operations against dangerous driving would continue.