News24 | KZN CPF member caught allegedly drunk driving claimed police captain would bail him out

A KZN Community Policing Forum member was arrested at a roadblock in Port Shepstone for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

• A CPF member was arrested after he was allegedly caught driving under the influence of alcohol in KZN.
• During his arrest, he said he could call a local police captain to bail him out.
• The member has been suspended from all CPF activities.

A Community Policing Forum (CPF) member from the Umtentweni sub-forum, who appeared visibly intoxicated, was caught on camera calling for a police captain to intervene on his behalf as he was arrested at a roadblock in Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast on Friday.

The 55-year-old man, who repeatedly failed to blow into a breathalyser, was recorded telling officers: “Please call Captain Kody and get some help there. Can I get Captain Kody here?” after he was handcuffed for drunk driving.

KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that the man was arrested for drunk driving and later released on R1 000 bail.

“CPF members, just like police officers, are not above the law and if found to be involved in any act of criminality will face the full [might] of the law,” said SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, dismissing the member’s claims that a “Captain Kody” would rescue him.

The Umtentweni CPF member’s conduct has been widely condemned.

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The Ugu District CPF Board issued a statement confirming his immediate suspension and emphasising that CPF members are expected to uphold high ethical standards.

“The arrested member was notified of his immediate suspension from all and any CPF activities,” the board stated, adding that the member had personally apologised to both CPF leadership and the public for the embarrassment caused by his actions.

The incident comes amid a concerning surge in drunk driving cases in Port Shepstone, which Duma noted had resulted in nearly 100 arrests since Friday.

Among those detained were a doctor, who now faces charges of drunk driving and escaping from lawful detention, and a nurse employed at the Port Shepstone Hospital.

“The number of motorists arrested in Port Shepstone since Friday is now approaching 100. But we will release official figures,” Duma revealed.

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Drunk driving-related offences remain an escalating issue across KZN.

Since mid-August, more than 300 arrests have been made, showcasing the gravity of the crisis on the province’s roads.

“CPF members are expected to practise that which they preach – positive messages against criminality,” Netshiunda added.