Recklessness bedevils safety and enforcement efforts
21 December 2020
With the Safety and Security Directorate in the midst of its busiest period of the year, staff are having to deal with increasing recklessness.
City Firefighters were targeted yet again this weekend – this time while trying to extinguish a fire at the Bonny Town Informal Settlement in Wynberg.
Just after 02:00 on Saturday, 19 December 2020, fire crews responded to a call of structures alight. The first responders quickly set to work to contain the fire, but some community members started interfering with the crews, dispossessing them of their equipment and verbally assaulting staff.
One officer was hit with an object from behind during a scuffle that followed.
‘We’ve been reminded in recent days of how devastating fires can be and the importance of rescue services in this regard. It therefore makes absolutely no sense that anyone would want to hinder a firefighter in the execution of their duties, while trying to save lives and property. This type of behaviour is becoming increasingly common, and can simply not be tolerated,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Elsewhere, the City’s enforcement services arrested 124 suspects during operations in the last week.
The Metro Police Department led the charge, with 45 arrests on a range of charges including possession and sale of drugs, property crimes, sexual assault, and reckless and negligent driving.
One of those arrested was a 19-year-old woman who was apprehended in Kalk Bay. Officers conducting foot patrols noticed the suspect selling herbs along Main Road. She appeared nervous when she spotted the officers, and tried to run away. It soon emerged why – officers found 80 packets of dagga in her bag. She was detained at Muizenberg SAPS.
Cape Town Traffic Service made 44 arrests, which included 12 for driving under the influence and 19 for reckless and negligent driving.
Officers also issued 58 201 fines for various transgressions and impounded 48 vehicles and 61 cellphones.
In the Law Enforcement Department, officers made 35 arrests, issued 132 compliance notices and 3 187 fines.
‘The Safety and Security Directorate is doing the most this festive season to keep everyone safe, not just from the known risks associated with the time of year, but also COVID-19. In the last week, our staff have conducted hundreds of visits to swimming pools, beaches, shopping centres, bars and pubs to ensure compliance with disaster management regulations. Our Public Emergency Communication Centre has experienced an increase in the number of calls related to non-compliance with the regulations. We are facing increasing criticism about not enforcing the wearing of masks. It bears repeating that there is no provision in the national regulations for such enforcement, and so the best our staff can do is appeal for public cooperation,’ added Alderman Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
