Updated on June 2: There is a difference between the legal blood-alcohol limit of a normal driver, which is 0.05, and any driver who drives for reward (PDP), such as a taxi driver or truck driver. The limit for the latter is 0.02.

Updated at 09:56.

A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier was arrested for drunk driving while on duty during Operation #NenzaniLaEzweni in Ladysmith on Sunday (May 31).

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport & Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said the arrest demonstrates that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of their position or profession, according to a media release published on the KZN Department of Transport’s Facebook page.

Taxi driver found heavily intoxicated

The operation also led to the arrest of a taxi driver who was allegedly transporting passengers with a blood-alcohol concentration 20 times above the legal limit.

There is a difference between the legal blood-alcohol limit of a normal driver, which is 0.05, and any driver who drives for reward (PDP), such as a taxi driver or truck driver. The limit for the latter is 0.02.

Authorities described the incident as particularly concerning, given the potential danger posed to passengers and other road users.

13 arrested during weekend crackdown

In total, 13 motorists were arrested for drunk driving during the operation, which was conducted by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI).

Duma commended the RTI officers and members involved in the over-arching Operation Shanela for their visibility and enforcement efforts across the province over the weekend, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving road safety and holding offenders accountable.

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