KwaZulu-Natal authorities say traffic enforcement will intensify over the festive season after an actress was allegedly caught driving at 198km/h in a 120km/h zone.
KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has warned motorists that the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will show no mercy to traffic offenders during the festive season.
The warning follows the arrest of actress and model Asavela Mqokiyana, who is expected to reappear at the Scottburgh Magistrates’ Court, after allegedly driving at 198km/h in a 120km/h zone.
In a media statement, Duma said the RTI team from Park Rynie arrested Mqokiyana along the N2 near Ellingham while she was driving a BMW X3 SUV.
According to the statement, she was allegedly clocking a speed of 198km/h in the 120km/h zone.
Duma said the arrest served as a reminder that the province’s #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation remained in full swing.
The MEC also released road safety enforcement statistics for the period between October 15 and 21, during which RTI and Operation Shanela teams stopped 12 073 vehicles and recorded 421 speeding charges.
A total of 1 719 motorists were charged with various traffic offences.
Of these, 87 motorists were charged with driving without driver’s licences, while 141 were charged with failing to wear seatbelts.
Authorities also recorded 112 unlicensed vehicles and impounded 140 vehicles for operating without the required permits.
Duma said enforcement operations would intensify, with more than 26 multidisciplinary #NenzaniLaEzweni operations planned between October 22 and 28.
A further 15 operations would focus specifically on drunk driving.
“Finally, RTI will have no mercy this festive season, as demonstrated this Transport Month,” Duma said.
The MEC’s warning comes as authorities step up traffic law enforcement ahead of the festive season, with a focus on speeding, drunk driving and other violations.