Durban - At least 13 people died on KwaZulu-Natal roads this weekend despite efforts by the metro police which led to 36 drunk-driving arrests after numerous roadblocks were set up around Durban.
Traffic was at a standstill for several hours on Saturday after metro police and the SAPS conducted a roadblock on the N3 near the Spaghetti Junction, arresting five.
Other roadblocks were conducted in Inanda and Ntuzuma, where 18 and 13 arrests were made respectively.
Metro police spokesman, Superintendent Sibonelo Mchunu, said the police conducted the roadblocks as part of a “strategy to instil in police an attitude of working” after their protests in the city centre two weeks ago.
He said one of the arrested motorists on the N3 roadblock, recorded an alcohol reading of 1.19g per 100 millilitres – about 24 times over the legal alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100 millilitres.
In Inanda and Ntuzuma, the highest volumes recorded were 1.18g per ml and 0.99g per ml – about 24 and 20 times over the legal limit.
On fatalities, a 40-year-old Scottburgh man died after he lost control of his vehicle and rolled down an embankment near GJ Crooks Hospital on Saturday evening, said Netcare 911 spokesman, Chris Botha.
In Ballito, a man attempted to run across Ballito Drive and was hit by a car. He died at the scene.
In the Midlands, a man was run over by a heavy goods truck when he tried to cross the N3 highway.
And on Friday, a bus accident killed seven school children travelling to a sports match.
Three other deaths were confirmed by ER24 spokesman, Derrick Banks.
He said the accidents took place on the N2 near Lamontville – where one person died in a head-on collision, and two people died in the Durban city centre in another head-on collision. - Daily News