City agencies make 99 drunk driving arrests
01 June 2026
The City’s enforcement agencies arrested 430 suspects in the last week – 99 of them for driving under the influence.
The City’s Traffic Officers arrested 67 suspects – 60 for driving under the influence of alcohol. Their Metro Police counterparts cuffed an additional 39 motorists for the same offence.
‘Month-end inebriation that spills onto our roads remains one of our biggest concerns. As expected, drunk driving arrests increased. Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated carries severe repercussions which are often irreversible. Beyond the immediate danger of fatal crashes and potential convictions that can result in criminal records, there is also the personal emotional toll on the driver and his loved ones.
‘Intoxication also carries into other offences and two-thirds of by-law complaints this past week were noise nuisance reports. The message is to drink responsibly, especially if you have to travel. It is in your interest to have a designated driver, sleep over or make use of the many other options which don’t require you to get behind the wheel. This disregard for the law is why we are proceeding with the amendment of the by-law to ensure consequences for repeat offenders,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Traffic officers also arrested three motorists for reckless and negligent driving and four others on various charges. They also impounded 215 public transport vehicles and executed 803 warrants of arrest.
On Saturday morning, Metro Police officers attached to the anti-hijacking unit were on patrol on Hindle Road, Mfuleni, when they observed a motorcycle travelling without a number plate displayed.
Officers stopped and interviewed the rider, who acted suspiciously and was unable to produce a valid driver's licence.
They could also see the motorcycle's ignition had been tampered with and officers found the motorcycle had been reported stolen in Manenberg.
The male rider was arrested and detained at Mfuleni SAPS on a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The motorcycle was confiscated and transported to the Stikland Vehicle Impound for further processing and investigation.
It was just one of six vehicles recovered this past week, along with 6 137 fines issued for traffic and by-law transgressions.
Law Enforcement officers made 243 arrests and issued 16 121 fines for various transgressions.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded 1 243 incidents over the weekend, including 93 incidents of assault, 497 requests for medical assistance, 316 by-law related incidents (which include 222 noise complaints), 37 cases of domestic violence and 36 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
The PECC is available 24-hours a day on 021 480 7700.
Residents can now also report certain categories of crime and by-law transgressions on the Safety and Security feature on the City’s App.
The App is downloadable from the various app stores.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
