THE KZN Department of Transport’s unusual approach to public communication with every post surrounding drunk drivers reaching thousands of likes and comments on their Facebook page has grown in popularity.

Attracting thousands of likes, comments, and shares, their official Facebook page, instead of being formal and bureaucratic, has become a source of entertainment by posting humorous accounts of drunk driving arrests, complete with antics of suspects at roadblocks.

Benjamin Franklin who is among those enjoying the weekend drama on KZN’s roads, said, “Now this is what you call a reality show.” While Rae Christopher Chengiah commented under one of the posts saying, “I have now seen it all. Watching the Department of Transport page this weekend has been extremely entertaining.”

And Nicole Leigh Smith is attached to the department’s ongoing Operation Nenzani LaEzweni drama. “Can we please have a live viewing of the court appearances? We’ve been with these law breakers from the start, we’d like to see the final episode,” she commented.

Also Read: KZN Transport takes aim at jaywalking and drunk pedestrians

Although the posts have made the page popular and shareable, it raises serious questions about professionalism, privacy, and the role of a government institution. The public posting of details of the alleged transgressors prior to their court appearance has also drawn mixed views from visitors, with some appreciating the light-hearted humour of the page admin and some calling them out for humiliating the arrested individuals.

“Okay, the guy has already been arrested for breaking the law. We get it. Now why is this part being recorded for the world to see? Is this not a lawsuit waiting to happen? RTI is doing great by taking drunken drivers off our roads but humiliating them like this is not part of the law and soon they may find themselves in our courts,” said Penny Mbambo.

Her sentiments were shared by Anand Inderjith who said, “Agree if act. The pictures is allowed to b in public domain b4 1st appearance. Just asking. When some 1 is arrested for other crimes only time names and pic is for public after appeared.” (SIC)

Tholulwazi Nsele campaigned for the page to be closed. “Where are the people who always complain and get pages shut down on Facebook? This nonsense has gone too far now. Kudicilelwa izithunzi zabantu phansi lana (This is belittling and humiliating a person).

“We can all laugh and defend this but we can also fight against it by reporting this page and have Facebook close it. An arrest is fine but to take photos and videos of the accused for social media is not necessary,” commented Nsele.

Have you seen the KZN Department of Transport Facebook page? What is your take on the latest activity or are you like Kate Field, questioning yourself by asking “Is this really the fb page of a government department?”

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