154 assault cases reported in two days
26 February 2024
The City of Cape
Town’s Public Emergency Communication Centre fielded 154 assault calls in just
two days, while Traffic Service and Law Enforcement departments issued
71 202 fines and arrested 215 suspects during weekly enforcement
operations. The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 995
calls for assistance which included 154 assault related incidents
during the weekend. Traffic Service also executed 3
221 warrants of arrest.
On Saturday, 24 February 2024 Metro Police officers recovered drugs with an estimated street value of R15 000.
During a midday patrol along Jakes Gerwel Drive, Goodwood, officers noticed a driver in a white Kia hatchback acting suspiciously when he saw the officers. Officers stopped the vehicle and while conducting a search officers noticed the driver's nervous behaviour. Officers then requested to search the driver and found a medicine container with two bankies Heroin, 15 bankies Cocaine and four bankies Tik.
The driver tried to bribe the officers with R2 000 not to arrest him. The 45-year old suspect was arrested for being in possession of drugs with an additional charge of bribery. He was detained at Elsies River South African Police Service( SAPS).
On the same day, officers arrested a suspect and recovered a firearm in Heideveld. Patrolling in Winterberg Road, officers noticed a male suddenly changing direction when he saw the patrol vehicle. Officers approached the suspect and conducted a search and found a 9mm pistol with the serial number still intact, and six 9mm live rounds.
The 18-year-old suspect could not produce a valid firearm license, and was arrested on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and detained at Manenberg SAPS.
Officers also conducted crime prevention patrols in Dullar Omar Street, Fisantekraal when they noticed two suspicious males who fled when they saw the patrol vehicle. The suspects were apprehended and searched. One of the suspects, aged 22, was found with an imitation gas firearm and three gas rounds. The suspect was arrested for possession of an imitation firearm and detained at Durbanville SAPS for further investigation.
TRAFFIC SERVICE
On Sunday, 25 February 2024, officers were patrolling in the Wynberg area when they responded to information of a suspicious vehicle near Riverstone and Main Road. Officers searched the green Mazda sedan and found an imitation firearm with two blank rounds next to the driver seat. Further investigation led to the discovery of one bag of Tik. The driver was arrested for the illegal possession of drugs.
During weekly enforcement patrols, officers issued 66 971 fines, of which 34 617 were for speeding offences and 32 354 for various other traffic offences. Officers also executed 3 221 warrants of arrest and impounded 188 public transport vehicles.
A total of 36 arrests were made, of which 24 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for reckless and negligent driving and 10 for various other transgressions, which included a stolen vehicle, false documentation and assault of an officer.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
During the past week, the City's Law Enforcement officers conducted more than 690 enforcement operations, where officers arrested 179 suspects and issued 4 231 fines. Officers attached to the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan accounted for 172 of the arrests, of which 111 were for the illegal possession and or trade in drugs.
PECC
Of the 1 995 calls recorded during the past weekend, 822 were medical related, which include a staggering 154 assault cases. This is the highest number recorded in the past month of which 16 were gunshot related. Call agents also dealt with 66 domestic violence cases.
The emergency centre also recorded 52 motor vehicle and 20 pedestrian vehicle accidents.
'The number of assault cases recorded by our Public Emergency Communication Centre is worrying – call agents had to deal with 154 calls over the weekend. Although we expect an increase of assault cases during month-end weekends, the steep increase should be noted and is a concern. It's an indication of the level of violence in communities often triggered by alcohol abuse, gender based violence and lack of respect. This behaviour often spills over to more serious crimes, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and theft. We also note the increase in domestic violence cases which has an extremely negative effect on households, especially those with innocent children. Our officers can only act if they are informed about these cases and we request residents to report any incident that poses a threat to families and the community,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Residents are reminded to report any suspicious or criminal activity by phoning the City's Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
