More vehicles, more violations
12 October 2020
The City’s Traffic Service and Metro Police Departments impounded 164 vehicles, arrested 98 suspects and issued more than 77 000 fines during the last few days. Violations are showing a steady incline with the increase of traffic on the roads.
During general enforcement operations, traffic officers arrested 49 suspects of which 19 were driving while under the influence of alcohol while 23 were arrested for reckless and negligent driving. Seven suspects were arrested for other offences. Officers also impounded 86 vehicles.
The City’s Transport Enforcement Unit impounded a further 78 vehicles during operations throughout the metropole.
On Thursday evening, 8 October 2020, officers arrested 12 suspects at an illegal street racing operation held in the Scottsdene and Bellville areas. Seven of these drivers were also charged for driving under the influence of alcohol.
During the past week, traffic officers conducted minibus-taxi enforcement operations and issued 1 128 fines.
‘The amount of traffic transgressions poses an additional challenge to our enforcement departments, which are busy with crime prevention operations. Although we anticipated an increase in traffic violations, the increase in vehicle impoundments, drunk driving and illegal street racing, is testament to the general disregard for the rules of the road. Drunk driving often leads to more serious violations such as reckless driving and illegal street racing. We will continue to keep the roads safe for the majority of law abiding road users and pedestrians,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Metro Police
Metro Police officers arrested 38 suspects on charges relating to illegal possession of drugs and a dangerous weapon as well as public and domestic violence during various enforcement patrols throughout the metropole.
On Sunday, 11 October 2020, officers attended to a motor vehicle accident scene on the corner of Baden Powell Drive and Jaftha K Masemola Road, Khayelitsha. The driver of a black Mazda LDV ran over two pedestrians and collided with a stationary vehicle.
The pedestrians, a five-year-old girl and adult man, were on their way home when the accident occurred. Both sustained head and leg injuries and were taken to Khayelitsha Hospital for treatment. The driver was arrested for drunk driving as well as reckless and negligent driving. He was detained at Harare SAPS for further investigation.
The Metro Police’s CCTV operators assisted with a drug arrest in the Cape Town CBD area on Thursday, 8 October 2020. A CCTV operator noticed a man exchanging money in a suspicious manner at Hanover Street and Mount Road. The operator informed Cape Town SAPS and upon arrival, the suspect was searched and found to be in possession of six packets of Tik. He was arrested for being in possession of illegal substances and detained at Cape Town Central SAPS.
On the same day, CCTV operators were monitoring the traffic circle in Green Point, situated next to the A-Track, and noticed a group of men and women acting in a suspicious manner. It looked as though they were smoking illegal substances. The operators immediately informed SAPS and officers found the six in possession of four Tik pipes that contained Tik residue. The six, aged between 29 and 38, were arrested for being in possession of illegal substances and were detained at Sea Point SAPS. It was later discovered that one of the men had an outstanding warrant of arrest for contempt of court linked to an assault case.
‘The vigilance and quick response shown by our departments, along with the assistance of other enforcement agencies, shows that an integrated approach to crime prevention operations are effective. Arresting suspects is the first step in getting criminals off the street and now it’s up to the criminal justice system to get them convicted,’ added Alderman Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
