Women under influence
SHOCKED: TSHWANE MAYOR ON NIGHTSHIFT ROADBLOCK DUTY
Msimanga concerned how many females are drinking, driving in capital.
Following a number of road blocks across the capital city on Saturday night, Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga was concerned that many people arrested for drunk driving were women.
Fifty-three people were arrested at the weekend for drunken driving when Msimanga, acting Tshwane metro police chief Jenny Malan and officers conducted road blocks in Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa, the CBD and Centurion.
While several drivers claimed to have had “one drink” or begged Msimanga and Malan to let them go, many road users had either been under the influence, or had licence discs which had expired.
The operation came as the country was celebrating spring, when consumption of alcohol increases and people drive under the influence of alcohol, Msimanga said.
“What is more concerning, and something we need to investigate, is the high amount of our women who have been caught drinking [and driving] across the city,” the shocked mayor said.
“In Soshanguve, [the] CBD
What is more concerning, and something we need to investigate, is the high amount of our women who have been caught drinking [and driving].
Solly Msimanga Tshwane mayor
and Centurion, we have seen an alarming number of women caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
“This is something that needs to be addressed.”
During the operation in Soshanguve, a man fled on foot with a breathalyser, leaving his wife, children and his car at the scene after he was instructed to exit his vehicle for testing.
One person was arrested for public drinking and two stolen vehicles were recovered in Mamelodi and Centurion. Suspected stolen cables were also recovered in Lynnwood.
“We want to ensure it’s a continuous initiative that goes on into the December period,” said Msimanga.
“I have instructed the team to make sure this continues every weekend until we bring stability to the city in terms of the number of people drinking and driving.”
Three people were killed in a car accident in Bon Accord, when a driver raced in front of a train, the mayor said.
Tshwane Metro Police department spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said driving under the influence was the major cause of road fatalities.
“TMPD, together with the city, embarked on increasing awareness and law enforcement to curb this act. Motorists are urged to refrain from drinking and driving,” Mahamba said. –