City agencies make nearly 300 arrests in a single week

06 April 2021

The arrest rate was nearly double that of the week before, with arrests for drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving and possession of drugs featuring prominently. Read more below:

The City’s enforcement agencies made 298 arrests in the last week. Of these, at least one-third were for drunk driving or reckless and negligent driving.

TRAFFIC SERVICES

Cape Town Traffic Officers arrested 100 suspects, including 43 for driving under the influence of alcohol and 36 for reckless and negligent driving.

An additional 21 motorists were arrested on various other charges.

Officers also impounded 196 vehicles and 96 cellphones, and issued 58 475 fines.

In terms of speed enforcement, the highest speeds recorded were as follow:

213 km/h on Kroomboom Parkway in Rondebosch (80 km/h zone)
147 km/h on Erica Drive in Bishop Lavis (60 km/h zone)
133 km/h on the N2 in Somerset West (70 km/h zone)

‘These speeds are an indication of the reckless and negligent behaviour our officers, and the law abiding public have to contend with. It is utterly despicable and totally unacceptable, and there is simply no excuse for it. Everyone knows what is expected of them, yet many still choose to break the law with reckless abandon and disregard for the safety of others,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

METRO POLICE

Officers made 89 arrests and issued 2 939 fines. Among the arrests were 28 for the possession of drugs, 22 contact-related crimes, including assault and malicious damage to property, and 11 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Just after midnight on Monday, 5 April, officers on patrol in Khayelitsha spotted a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road. When officers stopped the vehicle, the driver was found to be inebriated. The 23-year-old was arrested for drunken driving.

At the same location, officers were approached by a man who wanted to know where he had parked his vehicle. When the officers indicated that they had no idea where he had parked the vehicle, he became violent and attacked one of the officers. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested for riotous behaviour and attacking a police officer.

‘It is our understanding that this suspect was also under the influence of alcohol – just another reminder of the poor choices that go with alcohol, but substance abuse in general. While there was a prohibition on alcohol sales for offsite consumption over the Easter weekend, it doesn’t appear to have dried up supplies or impacted on people’s behaviour, if this incident is anything to go by. Too many of our enforcement challenges are directly linked to bad behaviour, and until people start taking accountability for their actions, no amount of enforcement will change the situation,’ added Alderman Smith.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

The City’s Law Enforcement Department made 109 arrests. Among the highlights were 65 arrests made by LEAP officers, four arrests for metal theft, and the Marine Unit made eight arrests during joint operations with SANPARKS.

Forty of those arrested were found in possession of drugs; six were in possession of dangerous weapons; two arrests were made for possession of an illegal firearm and one was arrested for possession of an imitation firearm.

Officers also made 35 arrests for outstanding warrants, and issued 3 620 fines.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office