Motor vehicle accidents flagged in December
06 January 2025
All service departments in Safety and Security saw a downturn in statistics, but the Fire & Rescue Service did record a marked increase in motor vehicle and pedestrian crashes responded to. And, while the number of fires dropped compared to the previous year, nearly 2 000 persons were displaced in just four days due to a number of large informal settlement fires. Read more below:
'I want to thank our staff for their efforts. Public safety over the festive season is a massive undertaking, particularly given how many people simply refuse to take responsibility for their own safety. The statistics indicate a slightly quieter December compared to the previous year, but there was still a lot to contend with. The increase in crashes that our Fire & Rescue Service attended to is a flag. Unfortunately, road safety and specifically the behaviour of drivers continues to be one of the myriad challenges we face,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
A summary of key statistics across departments is included in the table below:
| Category | December 2023 | December 2024 |
| Arrests | 1 977 | 1 472 |
| Drunk driving arrests | 406 | 187 |
| Drug confiscations | 5 937 units | 2 621,75 units |
| Fines/notices | 376 889 | 250 233 |
| Fire & Rescue total incidents | 3 888 | 3 546 |
| Vegetation fires | 2 425 | 2 056 |
| PECC assault incidents | 1 217 | 979 |
| PECC domestic violence calls | 568 | 499 |
| PECC road accidents | 610 | 514 |
By department, the following statistics were recorded:
The Fire & Rescue Service responded to a total of 3 546 emergency incidents.
Among these were 2 056 vegetation fires, 212 (compared to 272 in December 2023) informal residential fires, 153 (194) formal residential fires, 432 (319) motor vehicle accidents, 173 (157) pedestrians knocked down and 130 (118) trauma incidents. During the period, 11 (20) persons died as a result of fires.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 17 722 (21 020) incidents of which 38% were calls for medical assistance and 21% related to by-law transgressions.
In addition, they also recorded 1 965 (2 296) noise complaints, 979 (1 217) calls relating to assault cases, 514 (610) motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, 499 (568) cases of domestic violence, 202 (184) complaints about drinking in public, 143 (179) calls related to self-harm and 92 (118) complaints related to the illegal sale and/or discharge of fireworks.
During the festive season, the Disaster Risk Management Centre was called upon to coordinate responses to four major informal settlement fire incidents in the space of four days.
- 23 December, 86 structures were destroyed in Masiphumelele, leaving 450 persons displaced
- 24 December, 53 structures were destroyed in Nomzamo, leaving 132 persons displaced
- 25 December, 143 structures were destroyed in Dunoon, leaving 544 persons displaced
- 26 December, 307 structures were destroyed in Langa, leaving 685 persons displaced
During the period, the DRMC also conducted firewise education and awareness interventions with numerous other City departments in Mfuleni, Jim Se Bos, Riemvasmaak, Phumlani, Witzands, Blikkiesdorp, Tsunami, Kapteinsklip, Tafelsig ,Wolweriver, Siyahlaha in Dunoon and Barcelona in Gugulethu, reaching 8 620 households.On the beaches, the DRMC volunteers assisted with general public safety efforts and also lent a hand with the Identikidz project, while staff also maintained a presence at all major events throughout the city.
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Law enforcement officers made 1 163 arrests in December, and issued 31 846 fines for various transgressions. In addition, officers recovered 11 firearms, six imitation firearms and 135 rounds of ammunition.
They also confiscated 2 384,75 units of drugs.
Alcohol confiscations between 1 December and 3 January totalled 7 434 bottles, equating to just under 3 500 litres.
'On the face of it, this statistic seems very encouraging compared to a few years ago. And, as tempting as it is to assume that the message has finally landed, we know from experience that those who insist on drinking have simply switched up their modus operandi - from using alcohol sachets and other means to avoid detection, to drinking at home or in their vehicles and then arriving at the beach drunk. It doesn't matter how they do it, though, the fact remains that people who insist on drinking in public not only ruin the occasion for others, but also put themselves and the enforcement and emergency services staff who have to respond if anything happens, in harm's way,' said Alderman Smith.
Metro Police officers made 112 arrests, including 26 for drunk driving, and issued 14 624 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions. Officers also recovered four firearms, seven rounds of ammunition and 303 units of alcohol.Officers also confiscated 237 units of drugs.
Cape Town Traffic Officers made 197 arrests, including 138 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol and 24 for reckless and negligent driving. A total of 35 motorists were arrested on various other charges. They also executed 4 136 warrants, impounded 799 public transport vehicles and recorded 203 763 transgressions.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
