A Pretoria Correctional Services official was arrested following a high-speed chase during which traffic officers reported speeds topping 200kph, the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) said on Saturday.
RTI spokesperson Rajen Govender said the Correctional Services assistant director was initially flagged down by RTI officers after he went through a speed trap at 168kph on the N3 near Cedara, north of Pietermaritzburg.
The man , who had four passengers in his car, was on his way to Pretoria. However, the man failed to stop and RTI officers gave chase.
”My officers said they were doing speeds of 200kph when they were chasing him.”
The man was apprehended near the small town of Balgowan. He was taken to Howick police station where he was tested for drunk driving and was found to be three times over the legal limit. Govender said the man had been charged with speeding, failing to stop for a traffic officer and driving under the influence of alcohol.
He was detained at the Howick police station and is expected to appear in the Howick Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Correctional Services spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni said that he had not heard of the incident.
”If the case brings the department into disrepute then we would consider disciplinary action. An official of the department needs to be exemplary throughout his professional and private life. Failing to stop for the police or traffic officers and driving while drunk are basics that an official should know.” – Sapa