ustice system failure raises public concern after a suspected drunk driver involved in a serious N3 crash was released without appearing in court. Image: TimesLives via DOT.
(The Post News) – Justice system failure is once again raising concern after a suspected drunk driver was released without appearing in court. The man, believed to have caused a serious crash on the N3 near Pietermaritzburg, is facing multiple charges, including reckless driving, assaulting a traffic officer, and fleeing the scene.
However, despite these serious accusations, he was reportedly released on the same day and told to return to court next year.This decision has drawn strong criticism from provincial leadership. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed frustration over how the case was handled.
He questioned why someone accused of serious offenses was not brought before a court, especially when other individuals recently arrested for similar offenses were processed through the legal system without delay. According to him, this case undermines the consistent message that everyone should be held accountable, no matter their status.
Justice System Failure Deepens Public Doubt
Justice system failure creates more than just disappointment. Moreover, it creates doubt among the public. While traffic officers continue to risk their lives to keep roads safe, decisions like this seem to undo their efforts. In fact, the case highlights a situation where the justice system may not be supporting the very people working hard to protect the public.
Furthermore, Duma noted that the justice system had acted quickly in other recent cases, where over 160 motorists were arrested, including public officials and members of law enforcement. In those cases, all individuals faced the courts without exception. Therefore, he warned that letting this case go without proper follow-through weakens the credibility of road safety operations and the justice process as a whole.
This incident is especially troubling because a traffic officer was injured during the crash and is still recovering in hospital. Consequently, allowing the accused to return home while an officer is in pain has led to strong feelings of frustration among road safety teams and the public.
In addition, during a major road safety campaign from the night of August 15 to the early hours of August 16, 2025, KwaZulu-Natal police arrested 77 motorists for drunk driving after stopping more than 250 vehicles. These arrests were part of the province’s push for stricter law enforcement on the roads.
At the same time, national data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation shows that alcohol is linked to 27.1 percent of fatal crashes in South Africa. Taken together, these figures point out the urgent need to treat cases involving drunk driving with seriousness and consistency.
To address this issue, every case must be treated fairly and with urgency. When someone commits a serious offense, the law must respond in the same way, regardless of who the person is. Without that consistency, justice system failure becomes more common and more damaging.
Meaningful change begins with equal treatment in the justice process. When the law applies to everyone in the same way, public trust can grow. Until that happens, each mistake will continue to serve as another example of justice system failure that cannot be ignored.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: Journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
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