High-speed chase in Margate leads to drunk driving arrest
A dramatic police chase in Margate ends with the arrest of a drunk driver, highlighting the KwaZulu-Natal RTI's commitment to road safety. In Picture: KwaZulu-Natal Transport Siboniso Duma.
Image: KZN Department of Transport / Facebook
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a male driver was apprehended by the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Information (RTI) unit in Margate for allegedly driving under the influence, leading to a high speed chase involving the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The incident highlights ongoing efforts by the RTI to enforce road safety laws in the province.
According to the Department of Transport, the trouble began when the driver in Margate, Port Shepstone, attempted to evade police after failing a sobriety test.
MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma, elaborated on the alarming behaviour of the motorist, stating that he committed multiple traffic violations, including running four red lights and driving against oncoming traffic.
“To top it all, he fled and hid inside a house,” said Duma, noting the chaos that ensued when the driver’s relatives tried to intervene.
“They attempted to fight with our No Nonsense RTI. A female officer from the RTI called for backup, which included additional RTI and SAPS members.”
The intense standoff culminated in a successful arrest, though Duma described the aftermath as “ending in tears.”
The bravery of the female RTI officer, who relentlessly pursued the driver to ensure he was apprehended, received special commendation from Duma.
“Together with her colleague, she displayed remarkable courage in defending innocent road users,” he praised. “He is now in jail and facing a litany of charges. I salute the RTI and SAPS.”
The RTI's commitment to enforcing traffic laws is unwavering, as evidenced by a noteworthy series of arrests leading up to this incident.
Just the day before, a 74-year-old man was caught drunk driving. In a broader sweep, Duma reported that more than 2,600 individuals have been arrested for similar offences since the rollout of the #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation on 15 August 2025.
The numbers from the weekend underscore the gravity of the situation:
* Margate: 38 motorists arrested for drunk driving, including 9 females and 29 males.
* Newcastle: 32 motorists, including a policeman, a firefighter, a paramedic, and two teachers.
* Groutville in Stanger: 32 motorists, the oldest being 65 years old.
The MEC expressed his satisfaction with the reduction in road accidents attributed to the dedicated efforts of the RTI and SAPS.
“We will sustain the #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation until after Easter and beyond,” Duma assured, thanking local traffic officers from Ray Nkonyeni and KwaDukuza municipalities, as well as the National Traffic Police for their support in these efforts.