350+ arrests in a busy week for City services

02 May 2023

The City’s Traffic Service, Metro Police and Law Enforcement Departments arrested 358  suspects and issued 55 085 fines during weekly enforcement operations. The Public Emergency Communication Centre dealt with more than 2 900 emergency calls over the long weekend which included 194 physical assault cases. 

During the past week, the City's Law Enforcement Department officers conducted more than 500  enforcement operations, resulting in 223 arrests and 3 297 fines. Officers attached to the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan accounted for nearly 200 of the arrests made.

Their Metro Police counterparts arrested 79 suspects which included 34 for illegal possession of drugs and seven for driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers also issued 4351 fines.

On Monday, 1 May 2023, Metro Police officers teamed up with their SAPS counterparts to arrest two suspects for the illegal possession of a firearm in Philippi East. One of them was in possession of a 9mm pistol and an empty magazine. The duo, aged 25 and 27 were arrested and detained at Philippi East SAPS for further investigation.

On Sunday 30 April 2023, officers reacting to a tip off about firearms being kept at a residence in Manenberg recovered a Baretta short pistol and 13 9mm live rounds, after observing a suspect throwing the items into a refuse bin. A 30-year-old was detained at the local police station.

TRAFFIC SERVICE

During vehicle checkpoints,  speed control operations and roadblocks, officers issued 47 437 fines and arrested 56 suspects – 44 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 12 for reckless and negligent driving.

They also impounded 227 public transport vehicles and executed 1 158 warrants of arrest.

'Our officers worked around the clock during the long weekend to assist those in need on the City's roads and to ensure a safer environment. Unfortunately, there are still those who chose to break the law and endanger the lives of others. The high number of physical assault cases recorded by the Public Emergency Communication Centre is also worrying, but not surprising, as alcohol abuse is often associated with an increased level of violence. We need to start taking a far tougher stance against crime and lawlessness – our staff do as much as they can, but speedy and effective convictions are needed to send out a clear message,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE(PECC)

The PECC logged 2 906 incidents over the long weekend, of which 1 232 were medical emergency-related calls. The centre also logged 194 physical assault incidents.

The number of motor vehicle accidents recorded was 80, while 39 accidents were recorded, involving pedestrians.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office