Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

4 min read
07 January 2022 | 3:10 pm CAT

The Public Servants Association (PSA) learned with shock that SAPS failed to procure alcohol testing kits before the festive season despite the known problem of drinking and driving, which has been attributed to more than half of the road accidents.

Discussing the issue with Radio Islam International, Claude Naicker from the PSA said the alcohol kits are mandatory as they are the first equipment required to determine the consumption of a driver under the influence or not.

According to Naicker, the issue was raised by members as they were unable to perform their duties simply because they needed the required alcohol kit as well as other equipment to man a roadblock.

The minister had previously stated that there was a delay in the procurement process; hence the kits were not distributed to employees. However, they will attempt their readiness before the festive season kicks in, which was ultimately received after a lot of time has passed before the delivery of the kits.

Naicker said last year, the provincial inspector needed more kits to man the roadblocks and test drivers.

“In our opinion it was a process which was not properly and timeously planned in order for procurement and distribution to officers to complete their duties,” he added.

The festive season is one of the busiest periods, which may have allowed many motorists under the influence to get by, causing fatal accidents.

Meanwhile, according to Naicker, the PSA querying with SAPS indicated that they will source the equipment and kits from either the Metro Police or provincial SAPS Departments.

He said the response of SAPS indicated that if the kits are unavailable timeously, employees would need to take blood samples and approach the public institutions to test the models.

Naicker argues the public infrastructure, as far as the health institutions, is already overburdened. Drawing and testing blood at public institutions will cause a severe backlog.

He added that the test of a driver under the influence must be conducted within 24 hours for the blood alcohol level to be valid and admissible in court.

Listen to the interview with Annisa Essack and Claude Naicker on Radio Islam’s podcast.