Pretoria - The City of Cape Town traffic police arrested nine motorists in a mid-week roadblock on the M5 between Racecourse Road and Kromboom road on Thursday.
The City traffic police screened drivers of 396 vehicles for alcohol. Nine motorists were arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, with the highest breathalyser reading measuring 0.75 mg per 1000 ml of breath.
Two of the motorists arrested had outstanding warrants of arrest. In addition, officers issued 110 traffic fines to the value of R45 550.
The law enforcement personnel also served 16 warrants of arrest, valued at R13 200, on nine suspects. Seven of the suspects were warned to appear in court on another date and two were arrested.
Operation Exodus, which ran from 15 to 21 December, saw officers checking 2 479 public transport vehicles for roadworthiness at the city's various public transport interchanges and at vehicle check points across Cape Town.
During that random check, 1902 vehicles passed the roadworthy test while 179 vehicles failed. 100 more vehicles returned for a second test, and 46 vehicles were suspended due to mechanical defects.
Traffic officers also cracked down on enforcement and issued 347 traffic fines for various offences including driving violations, unlicensed vehicles, vehicle defects and taxi-related offences.
Spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services, Chief Inspector Merle Lourens said one of the buses tested at the Joe Gqabi Testing Centre was found to have been issued with a roadworthy certificate on 7 December in Umtata.
"However, officers inspecting the vehicle found it to be completely Unroadworthy, in that its braking system, steering column and exit doors were faulty.
"Even the colour of the bus was noted incorrectly on the roadworthy certificate as white instead of blue. Officers summarily suspended the bus.
"The driver tried for three days to convince the officers to issue a roadworthy certificate. He eventually gave up and left the area," said Lourens.
