By OBAKENG MAJE
27 December 2025- A total of 26 drivers have been arrested for drunken driving, all of them but three on 20 December 2025. Ten more drivers were arrested for attempting to bribe law enforcement officers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts respectively.
The MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said fatal crashes in the province for the Christmas period have been reduced by 40% compared to the same period last year. Morweng said these are the figures of high traffic volume of five days building up to Christmas Day.
“From 20 until 24 December 2024, the province had reported 24 fatalities. The reduction is dedicated to several intervention measures implemented by the department since the beginning of December 2025.
“These include increasing patrolling officers on problematic routes especially from 18:00 which has become critical timeline,” he said.
Morweng further said he is pleased with the reduction and implored on officers to continue with zero tolerance approach. He added that, they will continue to be friendly and helping all motorists either coming to or passing through the province.
“However, we will not tolerate any indiscretions. We appeal to all road users in the province to adhere to all regulations.
“We have been blessed with the very good and needed rains. This unfortunately also leads to flooding and roads become slippery,” said Morweng.
He urged drivers to ensure that they keep safe distance between themselves. Morweng said they should adhere to the conditions of the road and not to speed limit.
“Two-thirds of the crashes from the 20 to 26 December 2025, were as a result of drivers losing control of their vehicles. Of the fatalities, 90% are men aged between 23 and 48 years old.
“Excessive speeding, general recklessness and drunk driving are common infringements. We implore on all law enforcement officers to continue to be disciplined,” he said.
Morweng said, unfortunately, they have observed many incidents where law enforcement officers were deliberately provoked and thereafter be recorded on cellphones when they are reacting. He said such recordings are then subsequently distributed extensively without proper context to create an impression that law enforcement officers are out to harass innocent road users.
“Some of these are deliberately recorded as a social media content and again no context is provided. I direct all officers to respond to each situation calmly and with disciplined and never compromise maintenance of law and order.
“All motorists are requested to ensure that they reduce speed especially when it is raining, plan their trips timeously and make provision for delays,” sais Morweng.
The Guardian 