Drunk driving arrests hit triple digits
28 April 2026
The City’s enforcement agencies arrested 338 suspects in the past week and issued 64 987 fines. Of those, at least 108 were caught driving under the influence of alcohol – one of the highest counts so far this year. The Public Emergency Communication Centre also noted an increase in some call categories over the long weekend, having dispatched assistance to a total of 1 820 incidents.
Traffic Officers recorded 76 arrests in the past week, of which 60 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for reckless and negligent driving and 14 for other offences.
Officers also recorded 50 798 transgressions, impounded 176 public transport vehicles and executed 1 392 warrants of arrest.
Their Metro Police (35) and Law Enforcement (13) counterparts made 48 more arrests for DWI, taking the overall total to 108.
‘Drunk driving remains a challenge, even when motorists have so many options available to them. I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone caught in this situation, and my only wish is that the criminal justice system takes stronger action against those who drink and drive. We don’t pay nearly enough attention to the cost of drunk driving, particularly for other road users who have the misfortune of being impacted by their selfish actions. It is also incredibly draining on our enforcement resources who have to police nothing more than poor and selfish decisions,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 820 calls for assistance this past weekend. Of the calls received, 109 were physical assault related cases, 63 domestic violence cases, 288 noise nuisance complaints and 27 complaints about drinking and fighting in public. Call agents also dispatched assistance to 72 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
Duringu weekly patrols, Metro Police Officers made 113 arrests and issued 4 673 traffic and by-law fines.
On Saturday, 25 April 2026 officers attached to the department’s Anti-Hijacking Unit successfully recovered two stolen vehicles that had been abandoned – one in Brown’s Farm and another in the Kanana Informal Settlement, in the space of just over half an hour.
Law Enforcement Officers made 199 arrests and issued 9 616 notices during weekly operations.
In one of their most recent successes, LEAP officers in Manenberg recovered just under six kilograms of dagga and more than R16 000 in cash on Freedom Day. They arrested a 19-year-old suspect.
End Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
