Assault up by nearly 80% on payday weekend
01 September 2025
The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded a slightly more than 79% increase in assault calls this past weekend compared to last weekend, in addition to a near 50% increase in domestic violence reports. Meanwhile, officers on the ground confiscated six guns and arrested 12 men in connection with the firearms since Friday evening.
The PECC fielded 140 assault calls (compared to 78 the previous weekend) of which 41 were physical assault incidents and 98 with a weapon. Domestic violence calls increased from 36 to 53, and there was an uptick in motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents – from 45 last weekend to 66 from Friday to Sunday.
‘Our enforcement departments brace themselves for payday weekends as it inevitably means an increase in violence and recklessness. The first and last weekends of the month are our busiest and our officers will continue with patrols, checkpoints and road blocks.
‘Illicit firearms once again dominated our weekend. While I am glad for the weapons we’re taking off the streets, I am aware that there are many more still in the hands of criminals. The City is doing as much as it can with limited resources and we need national government to come to the party so we can stop the flood of guns being used to terrorise our neighbourhoods. The City is ready and able to do more, but we need the increased powers we've been calling for,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The guns confiscated:| Date | Department | Weapon | Arrested | Area |
| 1 September | Metro Police | 9mm Norinco, loaded with four live rounds | Two (aged 23 and 29) | Hanover Park |
| 31 August | Law Enforcement | One firearm and eight rounds of live ammunition | One | Hanover Park |
| 31 August | Law Enforcement | 9mm firearm and 10 rounds | One (aged 22) | |
| 31 August | Metro Police | Firearm; 11 rounds; rifle ammunition | Four (aged between 22 and 41) | Hanover Park |
| 30 August | Metro Police | Pocket pistol | One (aged 33) | Hanover Park |
| 29 August | Law Enforcement | Glock 19 pistol with full magazine; one replica pistol | Three | Claremont |
In other successes, Law Enforcement officers recovered a stolen motorcycle less than 24 hours after it was stolen.
On Saturday 30 August, the officers noticed a man tampering with a motorcycle in Thornton and when he saw them approaching he tried to hide it under plastic sheets.
He was not the registered owner and couldn’t explain how he came into possession of the motorcycle.
It was discovered that the owner was hijacked on the corner of Jakes Gerwel and Voortrekker Roads the previous night. The suspect was arrested and taken to Pinelands SAPS.
In general enforcement over the past week, Law Enforcement officers arrested 166 suspects and issued 4 992 notices for various transgressions.
Their Metro Police counterparts arrested 53 suspects and issued 2 795 fines during weekly patrols, while Traffic officers made 22 arrests (13 for driving under the influence, recorded 32 525 offences, impounded 198 public transport vehicles and executed 1 549 warrants of arrests.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded a total of 1 641 incidents.
Emergency incidents can be reported to the PECC on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone, or by dialling 107 from a landline.
Caption 1: The firearms confiscated by Law Enforcement officers on Saturday.
Caption 2: The motorcycle recovered by officers.
Caption 3: The firearm confiscated by Metro Police officers yesterday.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
