WATCH: Smart Drinking Squad promotes sober driving habits

Rajen Chin of Metro Police, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Sihle Zikalala and Zone President Africa for SA Breweries Ricardo Tadeu look on as principal clerk for Metro Police Siyabonga Mkhize checks a driver’s licence at a roadblock during the Drive Safety in eMlazi event. Picture: Zanele Zulu

Rajen Chin of Metro Police, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Sihle Zikalala and Zone President Africa for SA Breweries Ricardo Tadeu look on as principal clerk for Metro Police Siyabonga Mkhize checks a driver’s licence at a roadblock during the Drive Safety in eMlazi event. Picture: Zanele Zulu

Published Oct 18, 2017

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normal">uMlazi – The public and private sectors

teamed up to highlight the importance of responsible road use - and the danger

of getting behind the wheel intoxicated – in uMlazi on Tuesday.

line-height:normal">At an event hosted by South African

Breweries – called Drive Safety in uMlazi – representatives from the

KwaZulu-Natal departments of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Social

Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, together

with retailers from the area, gathered to share ideas on how to clamp down on

drunk driving.

line-height:normal">Zone President Africa for SA Breweries

Ricardo Tadeu said: “We’ve been working in uMlazi as a model community, where

we’ve been investing in taverns and making them safe places.

line-height:normal">“Reducing road accidents and overall

alcohol harm is our aim so, aside from that investment, we have started the

Smart Drinking Squad to make sure that our traders work with our products in

the most responsible manner.”

@SABreweries: 'Drive Safety in Umlazi' The crowd is introduced to the #SAB Smart Drinking Squad @TheMercurySA pic.twitter.com/B2BYwSoQXC

— Kamcilla Pillay (@Kamcilla) October 17, 2017

line-height:normal">'Understanding the cause'

line-height:normal">The squad was assembled to work at

educating licensed tavern owners, their customers and local communities to use

alcohol responsibly.

line-height:normal">“It’s not only about the money but

about understanding the cause of the problem. We’ve seen that there are a few

days of the week, from Friday to Sunday, where there are more incidents.

line-height:normal">“After 6pm is also where we see a

difference. There are also some specific areas and crossings that are badly

affected. We are analysing all this data to come up with ways to tailor our

approach to helping solve the problem.”

line-height:normal">Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala

said that, together with SAB, they had taken the decision to run the education

sessions.

line-height:normal">“We need to ensure people don’t drink

and drive and we want to instil that culture.”

line-height:normal">Shared responsibility

line-height:normal">He said the number of fatalities in

KwaZulu-Natal was “worrying”.

line-height:normal">“It requires us to reach out to the

community, tighten rules and ensure that they are reinforced.”

line-height:normal">The MEC for Social Development and

acting MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional

Affairs, Weziwe Thusi, also emphasised the importance of building feelings of

shared responsibility.

line-height:normal">The event follows on from the June

launch of the “Be Part of the Change” campaign, which further develops the SAB

18+ Be The Mentor campaign narrative that has been in place for three years.

line-height:normal">“SAB has committed to investing almost

R40 million to improving conditions in township taverns, of which about R13

million will be invested in KwaZulu-Natal,” it said.

line-height:normal">This would go towards improving

infrastructure, providing lighting, facilities and security.

line-height:normal">The Mercury

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