During the festive season, law enforcement intensified across the West Rand to curb drunk driving, particularly through Operation Shanela.

According to MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, while municipal-level totals for Mogale City, Rand West City and Merafong City are usually included in provincial reports, Gauteng’s overall data showed a 19.18% decrease in fatal crashes compared to the previous year.

“Despite this improvement, the province remains high-risk, with 96 fatalities recorded during the mid-season peak alone. Across Gauteng,152 arrests were made for drunk driving,” Diale-Tlabela said.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that the metro police will increase operations on major routes, with officers stationed at strategic points conducting 24/7 roadblocks and breathalyser tests.

“We are working closely with provincial authorities and campaigns like #Shiy’imoto to fight drunk driving,” Fihla said.

The message is clear, he said: If you drink and drive in Johannesburg, you will be caught and face the full force of the law.