Law Enforcement officers put child protection first
20 July 2026
Officers were issuing a traffic fine in Delft one minute, and the next, they were on caregiving duty after finding an infant in the care of an intoxicated parent. The incident wrapped up another busy week for the City’s enforcement agencies, with 483 arrests for various offences.
Law Enforcement officers were conducting a traffic stop after 23:00 in Delft on Sunday evening when a man walked past, carrying a crying baby.
On closer inspection, officers noticed the child was not dressed warmly enough for the conditions, nor did it have a blanket. They also noticed the man, who identified himself as the baby’s father, was intoxicated.
The officers transported the infant and the father to Delft SAPS where they activated social workers to investigate the matter, and to get the child to a place of safety.
‘One can only wonder how this situation might have turned out had our officers not intervened. It so happens that, in the last week, our enforcement agencies also arrested 93 motorists for drunk driving. These incidents are stark reminders of how we have normalised alcohol abuse, when, in fact, it remains one of the most devastating challenges to our social fabric,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement efforts over the past week, Law Enforcement officers made 288 arrests and issued 15 004 notices.
Their Metro Police counterparts arrested 146 suspects – including 52 for drunk driving - and issued 5 626 notices.
They recovered a firearm, four imitation firearms, four stolen and/or hijacked vehicles, and impounded half a dozen vehicles linked to suspected criminal acts.
On the roads, Traffic Officers arrested 49 suspects – 39 for drunk driving, four for reckless and negligent driving and ten on other charges. They executed 2 005 warrants, impounded 160 public transport vehicles and issued 49 648 fines.
PECC
The Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded 1 069 calls for assistance this past weekend. This included 49 physical assault related incidents, 26 domestic violence cases and 34 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
The public is reminded to report incidents and emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities to the PECC on 021 480 7700 or logging by-law and traffic related complaints using the Safety and Security feature on the City App.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
