Thousands of motorists travelled through KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend as the Comrades Marathon drew athletes and supporters between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
With traffic volumes rising across key provincial routes, the Road Traffic Inspectorate intensified enforcement in Newcastle, Dundee, Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg, focusing on speeding and drunk driving under Operation #NenzaniLaEzweni.
The KZN Department of Transport has since outlined the results of the three-day operation, which ran from Friday, 12 June 2026, to Sunday, 14 June 2026.
According to the Department, traffic officials arrested 18 motorists for drunk driving on Friday in Dundee, Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg. Among those apprehended were two teachers, highlighting how reckless road behaviour continues to cut across professions and social responsibility.
Enforcement then continued into Saturday, with Newcastle becoming a key focus area.
Furthermore, the Department confirmed that a further 18 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in Newcastle alone.
More concerningly, three public transport drivers were among those apprehended.
According to the Department, two of these drivers allegedly tested 20 times over the legal alcohol limit while operating their vehicles.
While the operation clearly delivered arrests, the figures also point to a deeper problem. Despite increased visibility and enforcement over a high-profile weekend, motorists continued to drive while under the influence of alcohol across several parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The consistency of the offences suggests that occasional crackdowns are not enough to change road behaviour in a sustained way.
For road users, the message remains clear. Enforcement may intensify during busy weekends, but the law does not only apply during major events.
Choosing to drive under the influence is not a mistake made in the name of a good time. It is a conscious decision that places passengers, pedestrians and other motorists at risk. Lives matter more than convenience, celebration or recklessness.
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