Esenembe drunk driving complaint escalated to IPID by frustrated resident

A complaint against Umhlali police for allegedly failing to detain a man suspected of driving under the influence has been escalated to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

A Ballito resident, known to the Courier, said he and his wife were travelling along Esenembe Road on April 12 when they noticed a light blue Toyota sedan repeatedly crossing the centre line around midday (‘Alleged drunk driver let off‘, Courier, April 24) According to the resident, the vehicle narrowly avoided two head-on collisions.

Believing the driver was intoxicated, the couple contacted Umhlali Saps and followed the vehicle to Avro Farms, where they confronted the driver.

The resident alleged the man appeared heavily intoxicated, did not have a valid driver’s licence and attempted to offer him a cash bribe.

After waiting about three hours for police to arrive, the complainant left the man in the care of a private security company. He later alleged that police issued the driver with only a warning before allowing him to leave.

The incident prompted the resident to lodge a formal complaint with the iLembe District Saps Complaints Department.

However, following several phone calls with the investigating officer – one of which the Courier has heard a recording of – the complainant alleged police appeared reluctant to properly investigate the matter.

District Saps spokesperson Priya Nunkumar said the outcomes of internal investigations arising from public complaints are not disclosed. She declined to comment when asked whether such non-disclosure could undermine accountability within the police service.

The complainant lodged a complaint with IPID on Tuesday. Whether the watchdog will formally investigate the matter remains unclear.

Meanwhile, the Courier has learnt the alleged drunk driver died from ill health the day after the incident. According to his employer at the time, Tim Jordaan, the man was hospitalised after suffering what appeared to be epileptic convulsions.