Near 30% increase in arrests week on week
22 May 2023
The City of Cape
Town’s enforcement departments arrested 363 suspects the past week, and recorded
82 234 offences, compared to 283 arrests the previous week.
'Our arrest rate has increased significantly in recent years, as the number of resources within Safety and Security has grown. And, even where the weekly arrest rate fluctuates, it is seldom due to the fact that fewer people are behaving badly, but more because our staff have had to deal with other priorities, which impact on their normal operations and patrols. These include assisting with any incidents of civil unrest, providing escort services to other City departments, being on duty at major events and also dealing with the safety-related impacts of load-shedding.
'The list of priorities really is something to behold, and it is my hope that our public can appreciate the weight that falls on the shoulders of our uniformed services,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In the past week, the City's Law Enforcement Department officers made 241 arrests for various offences and issued 4 265 notices for various transgressions.
On Thursday, 18 May 2023, while offloading discarded goods at a landfill site, an officer noticed a green sling bag and when he checked the contents, he found various handgun parts including a barrel, trigger and firing pin, used cartridges affixed with new primers, as well as unused projectiles and a magazine.
The bag with its contents was booked in at Somerset West SAPS for further investigation.
On Saturday, 20 May at about 05:00, Metal Theft Unit officers responded to a complaint of cable theft in the Philadelphia area. On arrival, two suspects had been apprehended by community members – officers did a sweep of the area and rounded up three more suspects.
They confiscated various tools including a pick axe, spades and hammers, as well as cables that had already been dug up.
Five men, aged between 28 and 39, were taken into custody.
METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Officers made 77 arrests on a range of charges, including possession of illegal firearms, domestic violence and driving under the influence of alcohol. They also issued 3 147 fines.
On Sunday, 21 May, officers responded to an accident in Khayelitsha, and arrested both drivers (39 & 47) for driving under the influence of alcohol.
On Saturday, just before 08:00, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in Manenberg. As they approached the location, they spotted a man dropping a firearm and trying to run away, but he was quickly apprehended. The officers recovered a CZ 75 pistol with the serial number filed off, and nine 9mm live rounds.
On Thursday, in Hanover Park, officers requested to search a premises after receiving information about illegal firearms.
They recovered a .38 special revolver with the serial number filed off and one live round of ammunition.
A 38-year-old suspect was detained at Philippi SAPS.
TRAFFIC SERVICES
Traffic officers made 45 arrests, including 32 for driving under the influence of alcohol, four for reckless and negligent driving and nine others on various charges.
They recorded 74 822 offences, impounded 264 public transport vehicles and executed 1 997 warrants of arrest.
PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 644 incidents over a 48-hour period this past weekend, including 103 assault cases, 37 domestic violence cases, 47 motor vehicle accidents and 15 pedestrian vehicle accidents.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
