IN THE DOCK: Scottburg motorist, Yusuf Ismail, was arrested after fleeing police while driving at 204 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
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SCOTTBURGH motorist, Yusuf Ismail, was arrested after fleeing police while driving at 204 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
He now faces multiple charges and is expected to be sentenced next month.
Ismail who was driving at 204km/h at a 120km zone and fled from police at a road block and was tracked and arrested by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) members, is expected to be sentenced next month.
He was arrested earlier this month after he was found hiding in a gold estate on the South Coast.
He faces charges of speeding, reckless driving and fleeing from traffic police.
Ismail was granted bail of R3 000 bail after his first appearance at the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court on February 9.
He reappeared in court yesterday.
“Ismail was stopped by the RTI Team, dangerously clocking a speed of 204 km/h in a 120km/h zone.
“Realising that he was due to spend time in the cells, he sped away from the scene forgetting his identification document in possession of the no-nonsense RTI team.
“Artificial intelligence and cutting edge technology enabled the RTI members to trace his movements to a golf estate on the South Coast.
“The high-resolution imaging and real-time data analytics revealed how he removed the registration number plates from his vehicle.
“The analysis further revealed another driver removing the vehicle from the golf estate. Using an AI-driven system that detects, tracks and analyses the behaviour in real-time, the RTI team located him hiding in the golf estate’s villa,” said MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma, in a statement on Thursday.
He said more than 12 motorists earned themselves criminal records after their conviction for speeding and reckless driving.
He said RTI Park Rynie was cleaning up road networks.
“We have published, separately, a list of convicted motorists who have earned themselves criminal records. Some motorists had their licenses revoked, which is a clear message that possession of a driver's license is a privilege, not a constitutional right.
“We are determined to clean up our more than 34,000 kilometers of road networks by removing reckless drivers. We express our deepest gratitude to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, for assigning efficient and professional magistrates in Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court.
“They are augmenting the work of our ‘No Nonsense RTI Park Rynie’ team, which is executing the Nenzani La Ezweni operations with precision,” he added.
Duma said the conviction of more than 12 motorists for speeding and reckless driving was a clear indication of an integrated approach with the justice system.
He said the integrated approach was strengthening the department’s road safety campaign.
“RTI teams across all corners of the province have joined forces with traffic officers in various municipalities following the meeting of the Integrated Traffic Law Enforcement Committee.
“As we announced, we are focusing on rolling out Nenzani La Ezweni operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year,” Duma said.
Ismail is expected to appear in court in March for plea and sentencing.