WATCH: RTI officers sing birthday song to Newcastle woman arrested for alleged drunk driving - IOL

The woman was arrested during a road block in Newcastle.

A Newcastle woman demanded that traffic officers tell KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma that  it was her birthday after she was arrested during a road-safety operation.

The woman, who is an administrative clerk, was arrested for alleged drunk driving, in Newcastle during a Nenzani La Ezweni operation on Saturday night.

In a statement on Sunday, Duma said: “The female motorist, who accused law enforcement officers of messing up her birthday and demanded that I should be informed of her big day, was instead showered with a birthday song by RTI before her detention.”

He said 14 motorists were arrested for drunk driving during the operation.

“This includes two foreign nationals whose documents are being subjected to a further investigation in order to establish their authenticity.

“In addition, a driver for a traditional leader (Inkosi) was nabbed with an alcohol level 8.3 times over the legal alcohol limit,” he confirmed.

Duma said a co-ordinator at the Majuba District Municipality, a pensioner, a security guard, and a mine worker were also among those arrested.

“We salute RTI for achieving 98% (convictions) in drunk driving cases. Speeding, reckless driving, and drunk driving continue to cause the destruction of the lives of surviving family members who have to cope with the devastating consequences of losing their loved ones in road accidents.”

He said during Transport Month, which is commemorated annually in October, the department marks the heightened execution of its road safety campaign through Nenzani La Ezweni operations.

The operation targets drunk driving, speeding and reckless driving, non-compliant vehicles, and undocumented drivers, with a zero tolerance approach.

Those arrested during Saturday night’s road block are expected to appear in court on Monday.