MEC Siboniso Duma's bold move: 278 traffic officer vacancies open in KZN
KwaZulu-Natal’s transport department is revving up its road safety drive, with 278 traffic cop posts now open to tighten the grip on reckless drivers.
Transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the new recruits will help restore order on the roads.
“We are looking for honest, hard-working and fit South Africans to join our dedicated team,” Duma said.
The vacancies include one control provincial inspector, 10 senior provincial inspectors, 67 provincial inspectors, and 200 trainee provincial inspectors.
“We have started this recruitment process of traffic officers as part of efforts aimed at building KwaZulu-Natal to be a prosperous and safe province for all of us and future generations,” said Duma.
The recruitment drive comes as part of the department’s “Zero Tolerance | No Nonsense | Alufakwa campaign”, which has already seen a surge in law enforcement activities on provincial roads, he said.
“In August alone, we arrested more than 160 motorists for drunken driving,” Duma said. “We arrested a senior public prosecutor, two police officers and a correctional services officer.”
He expressed serious concern over the involvement of state officials in unlawful behaviour.
“It is very disappointing that civil servants with the responsibility to enforce the law and also uphold it were caught breaking it.”
Regarding the prosecutor, Duma confirmed that the case has been formally enrolled and postponed to October 2025, pending forensic blood test results.
In August, KwaZulu-Natal’s Road Traffic Inspectorate arrested a 44-year-old female public prosecutor for driving under the influence of alcohol. The arrest took place at on the R620, Marine Drive in Margate, Port Shepstone. According to RTI reports, her blood alcohol level was 0.83mg/L , four times over the legal limit.
“The arrest of a senior public prosecutor—someone entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the law—strikes at the very heart of the justice system and is viewed by this department with the utmost seriousness,” he said.
“We wish to reaffirm that no individual is above the law. We expect that the matter will be handled with transparency, integrity, and in full accordance with the law.”
He added that the department, working with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, is monitoring this and other similar cases involving law enforcement officers.
“These developments have been formally raised for discussion within the Cluster to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms across the criminal justice value chain.”
Despite resource constraints, Duma praised RTI officers and all stakeholders for their commitment to public safety.
“We remain resolute in our mandate to rid our roads of reckless and intoxicated drivers, regardless of rank or profession. The safety of all road users remains our top priority.”
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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