Bank Consultant Offers R500,000 Interest-Free Loan to RTI Officers During Newcastle Roadblock
Thirty-eight motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in Newcastle over two nights this weekend, including a bank consultant who offered Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers an interest-free loan of up to R500 000.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said 24 motorists were arrested on Saturday night during the department’s intensified #NenzaniLaEzweni road safety operation for October Transport Month. A further 14 were arrested on Friday night.
Among those arrested on Saturday were a lawyer’s assistant, two teachers, two nurses, a finance manager, a merchandiser, a raw technician, a truck driver, a fleet manager, a technician, a University of KwaZulu-Natal student, a pensioner and two foreign nationals.
The department said a bank consultant, who described himself as a “finance mastermind”, offered RTI officers interest-free loans of up to R500 000. The offer was declined.
Another motorist was arrested while using a cellphone and allegedly warning other motorists about the roadblock.
South Africa’s National Road Traffic Regulations prohibit drivers from holding or operating a cellphone while driving, subject to limited exceptions.
Friday night’s arrests included an administrative clerk who allegedly complained that officers had ruined her birthday and asked that Duma be informed. Officers sang “Happy Birthday” to her before she was detained.
A driver employed by a traditional leader was also arrested after recording an alcohol reading 8.3 times above the legal limit, according to the department. Two foreign nationals arrested during the operation are having their documentation checked.
Duma said excessive alcohol consumption affects motorists’ ability to think, understand and react, adding that the arrests removed potentially dangerous drivers from the roads.
The department has previously said its RTI teams secure convictions in about 98% of drunk-driving cases.
The latest arrests add to a history of intensive enforcement in Newcastle. In December 2025, 32 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in the town during a #NenzaniLaEzweni operation.
Nationally, 11,485 people died in road crashes in South Africa in 2025, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, although this was a 5.64% decrease from 2024.
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