Runaway fires dominate safety and security efforts

29 April 2025

Firefighters responded to more than 200 fires over the long weekend, supported by the rest of the Safety and Security Directorate.

The fire that started in Tokai on Friday evening reared its head again in the early hours of Sunday, and has kept fire services across a number of agencies very busy, supported by enforcement services and the Disaster Risk Management Centre.

More than 100 City firefighters have been on the frontline in Tokai and surrounds, but the rest of the service ensured that the 32 fire stations were manned and ready to respond to incidents. Over the long weekend, they responded to 357 incidents, including 214 fires.

‘The Tokai fire has been a challenge over the past few days, but I want to commend everyone who has had a hand in working to contain it. While we had some precautionary evacuations on Sunday, the dedication of all these crews kept lives and property safe. There is some concern about how the fire started, and then reignited after seemingly being subdued, but our firefighters have been holding the line with aplomb.

‘The magnitude of this incident reminds us once more of the threat of fire in our city, but also why it is so critical to keep investing in our Fire and Rescue Service. That is why we have proposed just over R17 million to further increase staffing and resources for the service in our draft budget,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In general enforcement efforts over the past week, Law Enforcement officers made 181 arrests for a variety of offences including the possession of drugs, ammunition and dangerous weapons. They also issued 7 683 notices.

Metro Police
Officers arrested 50 people and confiscated two zip guns, a revolver and a number of drugs which included Mandrax tablets and tik.

Traffic Service
Cape Town Traffic Services held integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations this past week and recorded 21 219 speeding offences and issued 20 392 fines for various traffic violations.

In total 227 public transport vehicles were impounded and 1 452 warrants of arrest were executed.

Officers made 24 arrests which included 15 for driving under the influence of alcohol, four for reckless and negligent driving and five for various other offences.

Public Emergency Communication Centre
The PECC received 2 385 calls of which 972 were for medical assistance, 140 incidents of assault and 61 vehicle accidents.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office