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The ruling party must make an example of its spokesperson, Jackson Mthembu, to ensure that Governments message of responsible road use is not undermined.

It is shocking that once again ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu is in violation of the law after he was arrested for drunk driving yesterday. What is even more disturbing is that he was found to be three times over the legal limit at approximately 8am in the morning.

COPE has learned through eyewitness accounts that Mcebisi Skwatsha was allegedly at the scene of the arrest, and allegedly tried to intimidate police officers.

We note that Mr Mthembu was granted bail at Mowbray Police station, but surely this undermines the message of government's Arrive Alive campaign, and its zero tolerance approach to drunk driving. COPE is of the opinion that any citizen found to be that inebriated on our roads is should be remanded into custody until a magistrate sees fit to grant bail.

The ANC's Jackson Mthembu has now proven himself to be a danger to all other responsible road users. We wonder whether the Minister of Transport will repudiate Mr Mthembu's actions, and whether this will turn into a repeat of another high ranking ANC official being let off the hook by the criminal justice system for drunk driving.