THE uMhlanga Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (URRA) has welcomed recent operations by the Durban Metro Police Service and other stakeholders in the village targeting drunk driving as well as motorists breaking the rules of the road.

In one of the operations held a little more than a week ago, 45 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while fines were also handed out to drivers of vehicles without number plates, expired discs, and unlicensed vehicles.

According to the Durban North CPF one of the drivers arrested in the roadblock in uMhlanga was almost three times over the legal limit.

Since last year the issue of reckless driving, loud vehicles, excessive revving, wheel spinning and drivers performing donuts has been raised by residents at various community engagements with the Durban North Police station.

Also read: Residents’ forum in uMhlanga offers to fund speed bumps

Prior to that, the ratepayers’ association had also carried the concerns of residents to eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba.

In August and October last year and in other engagements, the association called for stricter enforcement to address the ‘lawlessness’ in the area.

URRA chairperson Terri MacLarty said since the engagement with the mayor last year, there have been a number of roadblock operations over the course of six months.

“We welcome the recent operations. I think because they are still short-staffed we aren’t getting the full capacity of the law, but they have made every effort. Having said that, we still feel more presence is needed to address the lawlessness in the area. They need to apportion more resources and get more officers,” she said.

Also read: Metro target motorists obstructing traffic in uMhlanga

“We also informed Metro that the ratepayers are prepared to purchase and to ensure they have decibel readers as long as they are calibrated and reliable for court, especially for noisy and nuisance vehicles,” she said.

MacLarty said discussions are ongoing for permanent solutions and an effective strategy to combat crime.

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