A joyful wedding day turned into heartbreak in Newcastle after the groom and his father were arrested for drunk driving just hours before the ceremony was set to begin.
The wedding, scheduled for 11:00 on Saturday, was abruptly called off following the arrests, leaving guests stunned and the bride’s family devastated. According to authorities, the pair were stopped during a routine roadside operation conducted by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) late Friday night into the early hours of Saturday.
The arrests were part of a wider crackdown that saw 45 motorists taken into custody for driving under the influence across the region. Officials confirmed that those arrested came from diverse professional backgrounds, including teachers, nurses, a pharmacist, a safety manager, a municipal official, and a lecturer—highlighting the widespread nature of the offence.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma did not mince words in his response, urging law enforcement to act decisively. “Arrest all of them and have no mercy,” he said, reinforcing the province’s zero-tolerance stance on drunk driving.
Authorities have renewed calls for responsible behaviour, especially during weekends and social occasions where alcohol consumption is common. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how reckless decisions can have far-reaching consequences—not only legal, but deeply personal.
For one Newcastle couple, what was meant to be the happiest day of their lives ended before it even began.
Email: motshwari@onenews.co.za
