Muhammad Khan appeared in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Road Traffic Inspectorate, Park Rynie team.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
A motorist has been fined R50,000 for driving at 215km/h in a 120km/h zone, as authorities reinforce their commitment to road safety.
Muhammad Khan appeared in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court last week following his arrest on April 4 by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Park Rynie team.
In a statement, Siboniso Duma, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, confirmed that Khan was sentenced to a R50,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment, with half of the sentence suspended for five years.
He said Khan paid R25 000 cash.
"Had he failed, he would have been jailed for 6 months. The R25 000 was suspended and if he commits another offence, he will go straight to jail."
Duma hailed the conviction as a victory for the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, an initiative aimed at curbing reckless driving and crime.
"Our message is very clear - nobody is above the law," Duma said.
"We have in the past arrested well-known criminals, lawyers, engineers, doctors, police officers, and many other professionals. This shows our commitment to ensuring that the rules of the road apply to everyone equally."
As the province prepares another long weekend, Duma announced that the RTI would be intensifying its efforts through the use of high-tech surveillance.
Patrol vehicles are now equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which allows officers to identify unroadworthy, unlicensed, or stolen vehicles in real-time during intelligence-driven roadblocks.
Furthermore, the department is deploying crime recognition software to streamline the process of checking for outstanding fines, summonses, and warrants of arrest. The software will also allow officers to issue electronic fines on the spot.
"These operations, bolstered by Operation Shanela, will strengthen our ability to detect offenders," Duma added.
The rollout of this technology has received high-level backing from KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi, and the Director of Public Prosecutions in KZN, advocat4e Elaine Harrison.
Authorities have urged motorists to obey the speed limit and ensure their vehicles are road-legal as traffic volumes are expected to spike over the holiday period.