The vehicle which was pulled over for speeding.
Image: Department of Transport
KwaZulu-Natal MEC Siboniso Duma issued a warning against political interference in law enforcement after the son of a senior politician was arrested for speeding at 222 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
Duma revealed that officials from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) were inundated with “frantic calls” from senior government figures, sympathisers, friends, and community leaders following the arrest during the ongoing #NenzaniLaEzweni operation.
“Please don’t call us when you get arrested for reckless driving,” Duma said, condemning attempts to pressure RTI officers into releasing the suspect.
According to Duma, the Mercedes-Benz was intercepted after RTI officers detected it travelling at excessive speed on a KwaZulu-Natal road.
He stressed that officers only became aware of the motorist’s connection to a senior politician after influential individuals began contacting authorities in an attempt to stop the arrest.
“We have received a report from our highly efficient and no-nonsense RTI Team about an influx of frantic calls from senior government officials, sympathizers, friends, and community leaders. They were pleading with RTI not to arrest a son of a senior politician despite clocking 222 km/h in a 120 km/h zone,” said Duma.
The vehicle clocking 222 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
Image: Department of Transport
He added that the calls were a direct attempt to undermine ethical policing and interfere with law enforcement processes.
“The relation of the driver and a senior politician was only revealed by the callers who clearly wanted the no-nonsense RTI Team to be unethical. Fortunately, integrity and ethical conduct are becoming a permanent feature in the department,” he said.
Duma reiterated that his department has consistently warned motorists and politically connected individuals against seeking intervention when arrested for violating the National Road Traffic Act.
“We have in the past pointed out that we should not be telephoned and be asked to intervene if any motorist is arrested by RTI for violating the National Road Traffic Act,” he said.