Guy Fawkes-related fireworks complaints down year-on-year
06 November 2023
The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate is heartened by
the continued drop in complaints related to fireworks. However, there continue
to be pockets of resistance that emergency and enforcement staff have to deal
with, over and above their day-to-day enforcement work, which yielded 359
arrests in the past week and the recovery of numerous firearms.
Between 3 and 5 November, the City's agencies recorded 225 calls related to the illegal discharge of fireworks, and 40 related to the illegal sale of fireworks.
A year ago, the figures were 325 and 78 respectively.
Law Enforcement officers had their hands full responding to fireworks complaints in numerous areas, including Lentegeur, Weltevreden Valley, Rocklands, Delft, Gugulethu, Bonteheuwel, Pelican Park and Sea Point.
The marauding mobs that have become synonymous with Guy Fawkes too made an appearance – although more muted than previously - targeting pedestrians and motorists along Prince George Drive in the vicinity of Lavender Hill and Seawinds, as well as Parkwood, and Tafelsig.
'The statistics show that there is a downturn in the bad behaviour that we've come to expect over the Guy Fawkes period, but the City recognises that this offers little solace to communities where the fireworks and anti-social behaviour continues, year in and year out. We also have to acknowledge the likelihood that not all incidents are necessarily reported. And, while our enforcement staff do their utmost to respond to incidents, it is a really tough ask, because the discharge of fireworks, or targeting of motorists and pedestrians is random, and the perpetrators disappear before officers arrive on scene. The City highlights the negative impacts of these bizarre celebrations each and every year, but snuffing it out is a shared responsibility and we appeal to more communities to stand up against these practices,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
GENERAL ENFORCEMENT
Over the past week, the City's enforcement agencies made 359 arrests, and issued 64 940 fines for various traffic and by-law transgressions.
Law Enforcement officers made 204 arrests, and issued 2 856 fines.
Their Traffic counterparts arrested 87 motorists - 81 were for driving under the influence of alcohol and four for reckless and negligent driving.
In addition, officers recorded 59 866 offences, impounded 263 vehicles and executed 3 650 warrants of arrest.
Metro Police officers arrested 68 suspects in the past week, and over the weekend, they recovered four firearms.
- On Friday, 3 November, officers responded to a shooting incident in Hillview just before 08:00. During a foot chase, the suspect managed to get away, but officers recovered a 9mm pistol and six rounds of ammunition that he had tossed during the chase
- On Saturday, 4 November, officers arrested an 18-year-old suspect who was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with five rounds of ammunition in Heideveld
- On Sunday, 5 November, officers recovered a pistol in Hanover Park with six rounds of ammunition – no arrests were made, and in Bishop Lavis, officers searched a premises in Bishop Lavis after receiving a tip-off and recovered a .38 special revolver and six rounds of ammunition
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 409 calls during the weekend of which more than 900 were medical related including 225 assault cases.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
