City’s emergency and enforcement services put to the test

26 September 2023

In another incredibly busy weekend for the City’s Safety and Security Directorate, emergency calls reflected the impact of the inclement weather that affected thousands. In the enforcement environment, City agencies made 418 arrests in the last week – a 20% increase week on week. 

The City's Public Emergency and Communication Centre recorded 2 671 incidents over the long weekend – approximately a third of all calls (874 ) were recorded on Monday, 25 September.

While the PECC generally records just a handful of calls in the category of environmental calls, this past weekend saw 162 such calls – 90% of them on Monday.

This category includes pollution, structural flooding, landslides and severe storms.

The centre also recorded 160 incidents of obstructed roadways – nearly 85% of the incidents were reported on Monday.

'The call categories and volumes further amplify the very difficult weekend that Cape Town and much of the province experienced. Our emergency and enforcement services were really put to the test, given the magnitude of the frontal system and the many, and varied impacts. And while the weather has cleared, there is still much work to be done. The City's overall efforts are being coordinated by the Disaster Risk Management Centre, through our Disaster Coordinating Team, and we must extend our sincere appreciation to everyone involved in this mammoth undertaking.

'The statistics also show that there were at least 79 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents recorded by the PECC, while our enforcement staff made 77 arrests for drunk driving. The weather clearly didn't slow down these individuals, but hopefully the time spent behind bars will have given them some pause for thought,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In general enforcement efforts, the City's enforcement agencies made 418 arrests in the past week, compared to 348 the previous week, and issued 70 736 traffic and by-law fines.

The City's Law Enforcement Department made 244 arrests, and issued 3 993 fines for various transgressions.

Their Metro Police Counterparts made 97 arrests, including 20 for driving under the influence; issued 2 595 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions, and confiscated numerous items including tik, mandrax, a firearm, imitation firearm, 66 rounds of ammunition, counterfeit bank notes, and 37,2 litres of alcohol.

Cape Town Traffic Services arrested 77 suspects, including 52 for driving under the influence, two for reckless and negligent driving and 23 others on various charges.

Officers also recorded 64 148 traffic offences, impounded 310 public transport vehicles and executed 2 472 warrants of arrest.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office