Pretoria - The North West Public Safety traffic officers arrested 62 motorists for drunken driving at roadblocks around Mafikeng and Mmabatho at the weekend.
"A prominent Mafikeng socialite was among the arrested suspects after he crashed his 7-series BMW into a lamppost in the early hours of Sunday on the Dr Nelson Mandela Drive, near Mmabatho Palms Resort," said provincial police spokesperson Lesiba Kqwele.
Other suspects, who were expected to appear at the Mmabatho Magistrate Court to answer to charges of drunken driving, include a Mafikeng Councillor and Member of the Mayoral Committee, several senior public servants that include a state attorney, auditor, policemen and two taxi drivers.
According to the provincial Department of Public Safety, the weekend arrests brings the total number of motorists arrested for drunken driving since the department embarked on a special operation to 123.
The special operation, which began two weeks ago, aims to inculcate a culture of responsible driver behaviour to reduce fatalities on public roads.
North West MEC for Public Safety Howard Yawa said drunken driving operations were to be intensified as part of the Arrive Alive Campaign operations.
The campaign is aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities on public roads during the festive season.
