Stamp out drag racing - Ndebele

TRANSPORT Minister Sbu Ndebele has urged law enforcement officials to crack down on illegal drag racing after three people were killed in an apparent drag race at the weekend.

"Law enforcement officers are expected to know where these illegal drag races are taking place, and must stop them even before they start," Ndebele said yesterday.

He said police should not be afraid to confiscate vehicles or suspend licences if it would prevent illegal drag racing.

"We are calling upon law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to put an end to illegal drag racing, especially in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal," Ndebele said.

He said the department would even assist to arrange legal races, but illegal drag racing would not be tolerated.

Two people died on the scene and a third died later in hospital after a crash involving a Nissan 350Z and an Uno Turbo in Gezina, Pretoria, around 8pm on Sunday. The two cars crashed into two others, which were not taking part in the race. The Nissan then crashed into a pole and burst into flames, while the Uno broke apart when it hit another pole. A passenger in the Uno died on the scene and its driver later died in hospital.

The driver of the Nissan also died.