Arrests down week on week, but assault cases jump by 41%
18 September 2023
City enforcement agencies made 348 arrests in the past week. Their counterparts in the Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 843 incidents over a 48-hour period, with a marked increase in assault cases compared to the previous weekend.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre experienced an uptick in calls this past weekend, compared to the previous weekend.
Most notable was the 41% increase in cases of assault recorded by dispatchers, including 140 cases of physical assault, 11 gunshot wounds, and 16 cases of assault involving a dangerous weapon.
Motor vehicle and pedestrian vehicle accidents showed a slight decline week on week, and so too domestic violence cases.
'The statistics derived from our Public Emergency Communication Centre provide very useful, but often depressing insights into what goes on in our city, and what people get up to. Last week, we saw an increase in motor vehicle accidents that went hand in hand with the bad weather at the time. This weekend, we've seen a marked increase in cases of assault, and with the long weekend in the offing, followed by month-end, the weekend after, it is likely that the statistics will reflect that too. And unfortunately, no amount of proactive policing can make a difference in the level of inter-personal violence that is so commonplace,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
On the enforcement front, the City's agencies arrested 348 suspects, compared to 410 the week before, and issued 58 358 fines.
On Sunday, 17 September 2023 Metro Police officers held a roadblock at the corner of Spine and Ntlazane Roads, Khayelitsha where officers arrested eight motorists between the ages of 25 – 43 for driving under the influence of alcohol. The alcohol readings ranged between 0.43mg/l to 0.89mg/l. The motorists were detained at Lingelethu West and Harare South African Police Stations.
On the same day, officers conducted Spotspotter patrols in Hanover Park due to ongoing violence in the area. Officers patrolled Lansman Walk at 02:00 when they noticed a male suspect in front of one of the houses. The suspect ran away when he saw the officers approaching but was soon apprehended. The suspect had a 9mm Glock 19 pistol (serial number filed off) loaded with 15 x 9mm live rounds of ammunition in his possession. The 36-year-old suspect was detained at Philippi SAPS.
On Saturday, 16 September 2023 officers supported by Law Enforcement conducted a vehicle checkpoint on Ntlangano Road in Nyanga. Officers noticed a silver Toyota Avanza with no front number plates. The vehicle was checked through Radio Control and positively identified as allegedly stolen in August 2023. The officers impounded the vehicle and arrested the 19-year-old male suspect for possession of a stolen vehicle.
During enforcement patrols, officers arrested 105 suspects and issued 4 529 fines.
TRAFFIC SERVICES
Officers held integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations during which 49 235 fines were issued for various traffic violations.
A total of 316 public transport vehicles were impounded and 2 440 warrants of arrest were executed.
Traffic officers made 33 arrests of which 25 were for driving under the influence of alcohol and eight for reckless and negligent driving.
LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT
During the past week, Law Enforcement officers conducted 570 enforcement operations during which 210 arrests were made. LEAP officers accounted 169 of the arrests of which 123 were for the illegal possession of drugs.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
