In one of the region’s largest anti-drunk driving operations, 84 motorists were arrested in Empangeni over the weekend – 26 on Sunday alone.

KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, commended the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) for its firm stance against reckless driving.

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“These motorists were on their way to cause horrific accidents, but the no-nonsense RTI team acted firmly and decisively,” said Duma.

The arrests come amid two serious collisions in Empangeni on Sunday that left 11 people injured, prompting a massive emergency response across the city.

The first crash occurred around 12.30pm on the R34 John Ross highway, when two vehicles collided under circumstances still under investigation.

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According to KwaZulu Private Ambulance spokesperson Craig Botha, emergency services arrived to find a scene of ‘twisted metal and shattered glasses’.

“Responders worked swiftly to extricate two patients who sustained serious injuries. Both were stabilised on scene by advanced life support paramedics before being taken to hospital for urgent medical care,” said Botha.

Just hours later, at about 5.30pm, another crash on Rex Henderson Road, involving a taxi and a light motor vehicle, resulted in nine more people being injured.

“Three patients sustained serious injuries requiring advanced life support intervention, while six others suffered minor injuries,” said Botha.

“The complexity of the scene demanded a coordinated multi-vehicle emergency response, but all nine were successfully stabilised and transported to hospital.”

Police attended both scenes and have launched investigations to determine the causes of the crashes.

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