A cyclist in KwaZulu-Natal was breathalyzed during a weekend roadblock operation, after officials reminded the public that ‘drunk cycling’ on public roads is also illegal.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport said the man was tested during the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation in Estcourt on Sunday, where officers arrested dozens of motorists for drunk driving.
The department noted how the image of the cyclist being breathalyzed had sparked mixed reactions from the public.
Cyclist breathalyzed during KZN roadblock
Transport MEC Siboniso Duma moved to assure citizens that traffic officers acted within the law.
“Our highly efficient and dedicated team from Road Traffic Inspectorate was guided by the National Road Traffic Act when they breathalyzed the cyclist,” he said.
He added: “Like motorists, cyclists can be breathalyzed by RTI on public roads and can also be arrested if they are found cycling under the influence of alcohol.”
More than 120 drunk driving arrests
The department said more than 120 motorists were arrested across KwaZulu-Natal over the same weekend.
Arrests were recorded in:
- Estcourt (68)
- Empangeni (8)
- Kokstad (43)
Those arrested were due to appear in court on Monday.
The department said those detained included taxi drivers, truck drivers, nurses, teachers, a pensioner, an Eskom technician, an IT specialist, a mayor’s bodyguard and a metro police officer from Gauteng.
Duma said a total of 5 689 motorists had been arrested since 15 August 2025.
“They were removed from our road networks before they could kill innocent people and in the process create orphans and widows,” he said.
