69% increase in DWIs week on week

18 December 2023

The City’s enforcement agencies made 409 arrests in the past week – most notable was the near 100% increase in arrests by Traffic Officers week on week, with the majority for drunk driving. 

Cape Town Traffic Services recorded 36 392 speeding offences in the past week and issued 23 980 fines for various traffic violations.

Officers impounded 238 vehicles, executed 1 932 warrants of arrest and made 136 arrests for the following offences:

• 115 for driving while intoxicated (DWI)
• 10 for reckless and negligent driving
• 11 for various other transgressions, including possession of a stolen vehicle, false documentation and assault of an officer

'We have given people considerable warning about their actions. Those who continue to behave badly will learn that while it is festive outside, it's not so festive behind bars. Our staff are working long hours to enforce the law and keep the public safe and the ongoing disregard for the law by some make their jobs even more difficult. On a more positive note, I am enthused by the number of long distance operators who have made use of our free vehicle checks as part of Operation Exodus. As we head into the last week, I want to encourage more operators to make use of the opportunity, because their actions can save lives,' said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

 
Since the launch of Operation Exodus on Friday, 8 December, the City's vehicle examiners have checked 1 082 long distance public transport vehicles, with an 87% pass rate.
 

The associated vehicle checkpoints in the vicinity of public transport interchanges have seen 1 776 vehicles stopped and 8 689 fines issued for a range of vehicle defects and other transgressions.

PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE

The Public Emergency Communication Centre noted increases across a number of incident categories over the past weekend, compared to the previous weekend.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT

Law Enforcement staff conducted 581 operations in the past week, made 218 arrests and issued 3 435 notices for various offences.

On Thursday, 14 December, at approximately 23:00, LEAP officers recovered a zip gun, a modified firearm and 93 rounds of ammunition at a premises in Kraaifontein. One suspect was arrested.

On Sunday, 17 December, LEAP officers in Atlantis arrested a 34-year-old suspect for possession of a zip gun with one round of ammunition, and a large knife. He was detained at Atlantis SAPS.

METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Metro Police Officers made 55 arrests over the past week, including 10 for drunk driving, and issued 4 624 traffic and by-law fines.

In one of the most recent successes this morning, officers on patrol in Heideveld were stopped by members of the public at around 05:30, who advised that three suspects had opened fire on them. Officers set off in search of the suspects, and tracked them down. One of the three, a 27-year-old female, was found in possession of a revolver with two live rounds and two casings. She was detained at Manenberg SAPS.

On Friday, 15 December, at approximately 17:20, officers were at a garage along Strandfontein Road in Lotus River, when they noticed two men shooting at a group of people. The shooters dumped their firearms in a nearby yard when they saw officers approaching, but they were apprehended and officers recovered a .38 special revolver and an imitation firearm, as well as six spent cartridges. It later emerged that the revolver had been reported stolen at Grassy Park SAPS. The suspects, aged 18 and 22 were arrested for illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a municipal area, possession of an imitation firearm and pointing of a firearm.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office