LIMPOPO: Vhembe District recorded the highest number of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol in Limpopo during August, with 57 motorists arrested as part of Operation Phuza Weekend.

According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, a total of 190 drivers were arrested across the province during the month for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Vhembe’s 57 arrests were followed by Waterberg with 42, Mopani with 38, Capricorn with 37 and Sekhukhune with 16 arrests.

While Vhembe recorded the highest number of arrests, Capricorn District recorded the province’s highest alcohol reading, at 1.06mg/1000ml.

The department said the reading was more than four times the legal limit of 0.24mg/1000ml, describing the level of intoxication as a serious danger to other road users.

Mopani recorded the second-highest alcohol reading at 0.86mg/1000ml, followed by Vhembe at 0.98mg/1000ml, Waterberg at 0.62mg/1000ml and Sekhukhune at 0.45mg/1000ml.

The department has expressed serious concern over what it described as a worrying disregard for road safety, particularly the high number of arrests recorded in Vhembe.

MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Nakedi Kekana, strongly condemned motorists who drive after consuming alcohol and warned that authorities would show no leniency.

“Drunk driving is not a mistake, it is a choice to commit murder. We cannot allow our roads to become killing fields because of irresponsible motorists. Operation Phuza Weekend will be intensified, and we will show no mercy to those who drink and drive,” said Kekana.

The department said law-enforcement operations would continue across Limpopo, with unannounced roadblocks and patrols expected to be intensified, particularly over weekends.

The latest figures underscore the continued challenge of drunk driving in the province and the potential threat posed to motorists, passengers and pedestrians when intoxicated drivers take to the roads.

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