Priority policing emergency calls nearly double at month-end
30 March 2026
This past weekend, the Public Emergency Communication Centre dispatched assistance to 1 464 incidents – priority policing incident calls went from 34 a week ago, to 61 this past weekend, including 22 shooting incidents.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre is the first port of call for emergency and enforcement-related issues.
This past weekend, which coincided with month-end, saw emergency call takers dispatch assistance to 448 medical incidents, including 89 cases of assault; 171 traffic incidents including 39 motor vehicle accidents and a dozen more involving pedestrians; 414 by-law complaints and 61 priority policing incidents including housebreaking, armed robbery, metal theft, smash and grabs and 22 shooting incidents – up from eight the previous weekend.
‘These are reported incidents, so the actual number is likely far higher. Our enforcement services also recovered several firearms again this past week, which begs the now all too regular question of supply lines and what’s being done by national government to dismantle them. As the highly anticipated army deployment to some of Cape Town’s crime hotspots draws closer, it bears repeating that, while this short-term intervention is welcomed, the fact is that we need far stronger investigative capabilities and prosecutions to effectively tackle the gun and gang violence that plagues our city,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement efforts over the past week, the City’s services made 423 arrests and issued 85 984 fines for various transgressions.
Law Enforcement took 199 suspects into custody and issued 10 235 notices.
Wednesday, 25 March, officers arrested a 29-year-old who was found with a prohibited 9mm pistol and 23 live rounds of ammunition in Hanover Park
Friday, 27 March, they arrested a 23-year-old suspect for illegal possession of a revolver and five rounds of ammunition
On Saturday, 28 March, officers recovered a blank firearm after responding to shots fired in Hanover Park
Their Metro Police counterparts arrested 167 suspects – among them 57 for driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers issued 6 516 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions.
Among the items confiscated this past week were a firearm with 11 rounds of ammunition, and an imitation firearm with six blank rounds.
On the roads, Traffic Officers made 57 arrests – 50 for drunk driving, three for reckless and negligent driving and four on various other charges.
They recorded 69 233 traffic violations, impounded 208 public transport vehicles and executed 656 warrants of arrest.
For any property of life-threatening emergency, call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 770.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
