Actress and model Asavela Mqokiyana is facing a speeding charge after allegedly being caught travelling at 198km/h on the N2 near Scottburgh in KwaZulu-Natal.
Members of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) stationed in Park Rynie apprehended Mqokiyana after she was allegedly caught driving a BMW X3 at 78km/h above the prescribed speed limit.
Mqokiyana appeared before the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court for the first time on October 19 and is expected back in court on Wednesday.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has warned motorists that traffic law enforcement will be intensified during the festive season, pointing to operations carried out during Transport Month.
Duma said the actress’s arrest highlighted that the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation was continuing as authorities stepped up efforts to clamp down on traffic violations.
According to Duma, the RTI and Operation Shanela teams recorded several enforcement successes between October 15 and 21.
The operations resulted in 421 speeding charges, while officers stopped 12,073 vehicles and charged 1,719 motorists for various traffic offences.
A further 87 motorists were charged with driving without licences, while 141 faced charges for failing to wear seatbelts.
Officers also identified 112 unlicensed vehicles and impounded 140 vehicles for allegedly operating without the required permits.
Duma said authorities planned to carry out more than 26 #NenzaniLaEzweni multidisciplinary operations by October 28.
He also announced that 15 additional operations would target motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.
“We will have a further 15 operations focusing on drunk driving,” he warned.
Mqokiyana is the daughter of prominent soccer coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
She gained recognition for her portrayal of Ntwenhle in the television series Isibaya, where she appeared from 2018 to 2021.
Her other acting credits include the role of Amogelang in the second season of Abomama and Sizakele in Uzalo.
Beyond acting and modelling, Mqokiyana reportedly has interests in the construction and poultry farming industries.
