Outrage after KZN teen dies driving allegedly drunk father
A 14-year-old boy died in KwaMashu after allegedly driving his intoxicated father, prompting South Africans Against Drunk Driving to warn about the dangers of alcohol abuse and underage driving.
South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) says a tragic crash in KwaMashu, north of Durban, is a devastating reminder of the dangers of alcohol abuse and its impact on children.
A 14-year-old boy had been driving his father, who was allegedly intoxicated, on Sunday.
Durban Metro Police say preliminary reports revealed that the teen lost control of the car on the M25 near Duffs Road, causing the vehicle to overturn.
The boy died at the scene while his father was arrested.
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who arrived at the scene shortly after the tragic incident, say the vehicle overturned several times before stopping in the opposite lane.
"On arrival at approximately 15:59, Reaction Officers found that a blue Toyota Corolla Quest had overturned multiple times. It is alleged that the 14-year-old was driving the vehicle in the eastbound lane when he failed to negotiate a bend, causing the vehicle to veer onto the verge on the extreme right before rolling several times."
"The vehicle came to a stop on all four wheels in the opposite lane, facing the westbound direction," said RUSA.
"It was established that the boy’s father was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident. The father was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, which resulted in the minor operating the vehicle.
"Paramedics assessed the victim, who was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased on (the) scene."
Alcohol support services available
Caro Smit, the founder of anti-drunk driving organisation SADD, says parents have a responsibility to ensure their children are not put in danger when they drink.
She says if alcohol abuse is causing problems in a family, people need to know that there are organisations they can turn to for help.
"There is Alcoholics Anonymous. There are SANCAs in many of the big centres. There is Tough Love. You can access all of these if you go onto the websites and for young people, there is a group called Al-Anon that can really help you to talk with other young people and with counsellors who can assist you to know how to deal with these problems," says Smit.
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Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, has wished the family strength during this difficult time.
"The MEC of Transport Siboniso Duma has expressed his deepest condolences to the family. All other issues we'll deal with them after the funeral as we believe that during this period, we must show compassion and love.”
KZN drunk driving spike
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of drunk driving incidents over the Easter long weekend.
Police say nationwide operations yielded positive results, including the arrest of 15,840 suspects for various criminal offences.
Authorities also confiscated 132 illegal firearms and more than one thousand rounds of ammunition.
National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says during the operations, 532 illegal taverns were shut down for non-compliance.
"773 of those who were found to be selling liquor without a valid liquor licence were also arrested. The majority of those without liquor licences were arrested in KZN (299) and Mpumalanga, with 209 suspects arrested," says Mathe.
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