Accident stats should be a wakeup call
12 May 2025
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 84 motor vehicle and pedestrian vehicle accidents in 48 hours. It’s a near 50% increase compared to the last ‘wet weather’ weekend in March, and an urgent reminder to road users to shift gears.
As statistics go, the Public Emergency Communication Centre had a modest weekend, with 1 414 incidents logged.
However, it was the 84 motor vehicle and pedestrian vehicle accidents that raised a number of red flags.
‘It was a busy weekend on the roads, due to Mother’s Day, and of course with every wet weather episode, we see an uptick in motor vehicle accidents. It is however quite exasperating to repeat the same appeal over and over again. Wet weather conditions demand a different driving style, patience and more importantly, ensuring that key vehicle components are in good shape, like your tyres, brakes and wipers.
‘These are things that far too many people either are not aware of, or neglect, and yet they can be the difference between life or death in poor driving conditions. Winter is fast approaching, so I appeal to everyone to please get their vehicles checked, but also to shift gears mentally for their own safety and that of others,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement matters, the three departments made 294 arrests in the past week and issued 58 313 fines for various transgressions.
On the roads, Cape Town Traffic Officers made 34 arrests - 24 for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for reckless and negligent driving and eight for other offences.
Officers also recorded 47 653 offences, impounded 210 public transport vehicles and executed 1 435 warrants of arrest.
Law enforcement officers made 200 arrests and issued 7 076 fines.
On Sunday, 11 May, LEAP officers recovered two firearms.
In Hanover Park, officers arrested a 25-year-old suspect for the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition at approximately 21:30. He was found with a revolver and a number of rounds of ammunition.
Just before midnight in Delft, officers arrested a 22-year-old for the illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition.
In the past week, Metro Police officers arrested 60 suspects for various offences and issued 3 584 fines for traffic and by-law infringements.
Officers recovered a range of drugs, dangerous weapons and a prohibited firearm. In the early hours of Thursday, 8 May, they were leaving a domestic violence complaint in Tafelsig, when they heard shots and saw two males running away. One of them was found hiding, and on a nearby roof, they found a black firearm, sans serial number, and a magazine containing 11 9mm rounds.
Residents are reminded to report criminal activity by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
