Drinking and driving has escalated into a significant public safety concern in KwaZulu‑Natal, with Newcastle emerging as one of the most problematic towns in South Africa for alcohol-related driving offences. Indeed, Newcastle, along with Osizweni and Madadeni, currently rank among the top 30 police stations nationally for driving under the influence incidents.
The gravity of the situation is highlighted by the most recent crime statistics, released on Friday, 28 November 2025.
Osizweni now ranks second nationally for drinking and driving arrests, with law enforcement detaining 259 individuals between April and June 2025. By contrast, only 30 arrests were recorded during the same period in 2024, representing a stark increase of 229 cases.
Similarly, Madadeni occupies fourth place, recording 247 arrests during the same period, compared with 97 in 2024 — an increase of 150%. Meanwhile, Newcastle itself ranks 20th nationally, with 124 arrests for driving under the influence, marking a notable rise from 82 during the corresponding period in 2024.
Furthermore, the KwaZulu‑Natal Department of Transport reported on Sunday, 20 November 2025, that over the preceding weekend, 87 motorists were arrested across the province: 23 in Durban, 11 in Ulundi, and 53 on Newcastle streets. These arrests followed the launch of the “Nenzani La Ezweni” operation, a province-wide initiative enforcing zero tolerance against alcohol-impaired driving. Notably, these arrests came shortly after 234 Newcastle motorists were apprehended for the same offence at the end of October 2025.
Of the 53 Newcastle residents arrested that weekend, 32 were detained on Saturday, 29 November 2025, and 21 on Sunday, 30 November 2025.
This persistence in unlawful behaviour raises a troubling question: why do so many motorists in Newcastle continue to risk driving under the influence despite stringent enforcement?
Addressing this issue, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, stated: “They think the Road Traffic Inspectorate team is playing games. Despite arresting 53 motorists in Newcastle, they are still reckless.”
The dangers of drinking and driving extend far beyond statistics. Charles Steyn of Magenta Emergency Medical Services outlined the direct consequences for public safety: “Drinking and driving is a major issue in Newcastle, with Gemsbok Road, Victoria Road and Drakensberg Drive being the most popular hotspots for collisions due to this. Every weekend, from Friday until Sunday morning, there is an influx of people drinking and driving, with all of Newcastle’s EMS services responding to collisions from drinking on a weekly basis.”
According to Steyn, the disregard for traffic laws is driven largely by complacency and defiance among residents.
“Too many people think that law enforcement is not active and they try their luck. Even after the 234 people were arrested at the end of October, it was quiet for a week or two and people simply started again. People just do not care and if they are in a collision, it is always excuses and I am sorry, even if their actions could land up killing someone,” he emphasised.
A local traffic officer, speaking anonymously, added that social media warnings significantly undermine enforcement efforts. He explained: “We can only do our jobs effectively, if the community allows us to apprehend the law breakers. By defending these drunk drivers, people are putting the lives of others in danger. Ask yourself, how would you feel if a drunk driver killed your child in a collision, simply because you sent a message on social media, warning other motorists of where we are holding an operation or roadblock?”
Adding further perspective, the spokesperson for the Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF), Sandile Mduli explained that the CPF in Newcastle took drinking and driving extremely seriously.
He said, “The recent incidents involving a high number of Newcastle residents being arrested for this offense are indeed alarming and concerning. It is evident from the SAPS crime statistics that Newcastle, Madadeni, and Osizweni are among the top 30 stations facing this problem, indicating a significant issue that needs to be addressed promptly.”
Moreover, to the question of why Newcastle community members feel comfortable driving under the influence, Mduli elaborated that the CPF believed it could be a combination of willful ignorance and a blatant disregard for the law. “Despite extensive awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts, some individuals continue to make irresponsible choices that not only endanger their lives but also put others at risk,” he noted.
Furthermore, he stressed that it was crucial for residents to understand the severe consequences of driving under the influence, including the potential for accidents, injuries, loss of life, legal repercussions, and damage to one’s reputation.
“We urge community members to prioritise their safety and the safety of others by making responsible decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption and driving,” stated Mduli.
He further added that the CPF remains committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, community organisations, and local authorities to address the issue of drinking and driving in Newcastle. “Through continued education, awareness initiatives, and enforcement measures, we aim to create a safer environment for all residents. Together, we can make a difference and prevent tragedies related to this dangerous behaviour,” he concluded.
In response to this persistent challenge, Newcastle Municipality expressed deep concern regarding the recent reports, which confirmed that 66 motorists had been arrested for drunk driving since Friday night — once again the highest number among localities.
The Municipality warned: “Equally alarming is the cumulative trend: since 22 October, a total of 274 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving in Newcastle alone. When combined with this past weekend’s 66 arrests, the total number of offenders rises to 340 arrests, underscoring a persistent and deeply troubling pattern of alcohol abuse on our roads. This level of lawlessness is unacceptable, especially as we enter the festive season, a period meant for rest, celebration, and family, not preventable injury, trauma, and loss of life.”
The Municipality further condemned the reckless conduct of individuals who choose to drive while impaired, highlighting the strain these actions place on law enforcement, emergency responders, and healthcare services, while simultaneously endangering innocent motorists and pedestrians.
To address the crisis, the Municipality, in collaboration with SAPS, Newcastle Traffic Services, and provincial authorities, has intensified operations across the city. These measures include expanded roadblocks, sobriety checkpoints, high-visibility patrols, and targeted inspections against illegal alcohol trading and non-compliant establishments. Offenders will face decisive legal action.
Residents and visitors are strongly urged to:
- Refrain completely from drinking and driving.
- Obey all traffic laws and officer instructions.
- Avoid public drinking and disorderly behaviour.
- Report reckless driving, unsafe conduct, and illegal alcohol activities.
Ultimately, the persistence of drinking and driving in Newcastle reflects a deeper societal challenge that cannot be addressed by enforcement alone. It highlights the urgent need for a multifaceted approach that combines law enforcement with ongoing public education, community engagement, and a shift in social attitudes towards road safety. Only sustained efforts on all these fronts can begin to alter the dangerous culture that has taken hold on the town’s streets.
The coming weeks will be pivotal as authorities maintain heightened vigilance during the festive season. The responsibility for safer roads rests not only with law enforcement but also with every resident, motorist, and visitor. By collectively adhering to traffic laws and supporting enforcement operations, Newcastle has the opportunity to protect lives and ensure that its roads become safer for everyone.
4 Responses
Wasn’t there a law passed in June to ban drinking and driving?
You have be to joking…for decades, millions of rands of advertising and countless displays showing the result of drinking and driving…..anything ringing a bell?….Drinking and driving has been illegal for a very long time, not months. I think you are referring to drinking in public and yes, those fall under bylaws. So….do you want to get a drink sometime?
Arrests are fine but give us some statistics about the percentage of arrests that result in convictions and jail time.
Maybe traffic officers must look wider than spots next to our roads. It is a common sight to see people buying liqour at bottle stores and commence drinking session right outside the stores ! In public ! It seems the liqour stores are happy to sell glasses during the purchase. It must be very clear why people are buying glasses – for use right there and inside the vehicles they drive away with. Are the traffic officers very blatantly ignoring this, or will It be labelled “victimising” ?