​I take this opportunity to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the ongoing occurrence of drunken driving on South Africa’s roads.

This comes after a tragic fatal accident in which a driver in a white Porsche SUV hit two cyclists riding in the emergency lane, along the R512 yesterday, at around 18:30.

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department confirms that one of the cyclists died on the scene and the other was airlifted to hospital and is in a critical condition.

Based on preliminary information from the scene, it would appear that the driver of the white Porsche SUV may have been under the influence of alcohol. Further information indicates that the alleged driver may have also tried to flee from the scene of the deadly crash but could not do so because his vehicle was too damaged.

The driver was arrested and a case of culpable homicide was subsequently opened.

I call on law enforcement agencies to act with urgency and due care in making sure that this matter is properly investigated and that justice is given to the families of the two cyclists. I was devastated to learn that the deceased cyclists, a 52 year old man from Johannesburg, was a devoted father, husband and enthusiastic triathlete who loved life and the outdoors.

It is disheartening that we continue to lose innocent lives as a result of the unlawful behaviour of drivers insisting on getting behind the wheel of a car when clearly under the influence of alcohol. Despite the warnings and the campaigns against drunk driving, we continue to experience this scourge.

It is time for a zero-tolerance approach to be adopted. No more talk of points demerit systems and seeking to coerce careless drivers to act appropriately.

South Africa, and Johannesburg, can no longer afford to lose any more innocent lives. We also can no longer afford to continue suffering the financial and economic devastation that comes with road crashes.

I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for a speedy recovery for the cyclist in hospital.
 
Issued by:
Cllr Mpho Phalatse
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
 
For media queries, please contact:
Olebogeng Molatlhwa
Assistant Director: Mayoral Communications
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
OlebogengMola@joburg.org.za
084 371 3243

31/01/2022