Obstructing justice is counter-productive
08 May 2023
In the past week, the
City’s enforcement agencies made 296 arrests and issued 56 402 fines. In
one instance, officers had to fend off a large crowd who tried to prevent the
arrest of two suspects
On Friday, 5 May, just before 18:00, Traffic Officers were conducting an operation in Sea Point.
Officers set off after a taxi that had tried to evade their checkpoint, and after stopping the vehicle, the passengers became riotous, joined by bystanders.
The officers eventually managed to take the driver into custody on charges of reckless and negligent driving, as well as a bystander who had made threats against them, for obstruction of justice.
The crowd tried to surround the patrol car, banging on the vehicle, but officers were able to leave the area, with the two suspects.
'What happened in Sea Point is but the latest incident of our staff having to contend with bystanders running interference. We've also had incidents in recent months of groups storming police stations to free suspects, and literally helping armed suspects to get away, in handcuffs. This is a trend that simply cannot be condoned. We cannot be a society that decries the level of crime and violence, calling out for increased and more effective enforcement, but then turn on those who are trying to do that very job. It bears reminding that interfering with a peace officer in the execution of their duties can have legal consequences, so I caution the public to be mindful of inserting themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement efforts over the past week, the City's Traffic Service arrested 32 suspects – 19 for driving under the influence, four for reckless and negligent driving and nine others on various charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, presenting false documentation and assaulting an officer.
During this period, 49 610 offences were recorded, 255 public transport vehicles were impounded and 1 442 warrants were executed.
The Law Enforcement Department made 179 arrests and issued 2 689 fines for various transgressions.
Their Metro Police counterparts made 85 arrests, including 11 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and issued 4 103 notices for traffic and by-law transgressions.
PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE (PECC)
The PECC logged 2 002 incidents over the weekend, including 110 assault cases, 42 domestic violence incidents, and 75 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
