Tipple could land you in trouble
30 December 2024
The City of Cape Town’s enforcement departments have confiscated 4 730 bottles of liquor from transgressors at beaches, parks and other public places since 1 December. Visitors to public facilities are reminded that it is illegal to consume alcohol in public.
The confiscated alcohol amounts to just more than 2 000 litres.
‘Our officers are out in full force to ensure the safety of everyone and this includes making sure public places are safe. They are checking car trunks, coolers, and some unlikely hiding places. While visitors are finding more and more ingenious ways to hide their liquor, officers won’t be bamboozled. We have seen alcohol injected into fruit like watermelon and oranges, hidden inside baby bottles and other liquid containers. Some have put their drinks inside municipal waste bins (the green ones normally standing alongside a pole) and then cover it with sand to keep it cool. Some bring their liquor in flasks and even blow on it enthusiastically to cool down their fake tea or coffee.
‘Intoxication is a risk to public safety as we have already seen fights on beaches, and you are putting your own life and that of your loved ones at risk. When you leave the beach you have to get into a vehicle and drive home. This makes you a serious danger to everyone in the vehicle and other road users. Officers will confiscate the alcohol and perpetrators will be fined. Enjoy your fun in the sun without alcohol, and when you get home you can toast an incident free day,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman Smith.
On the roads, Traffic Officers recovered two stolen vehicles and confiscated another used in a crime, in three separate incidents in the Muizenberg area. A total of six people were arrested.
In the last incident on 28 December, officers followed up on information of a stolen vehicle travelling on Main Road towards Muizenberg and with the assistance of the Law Enforcement auxiliary team stopped the vehicle and arrested the four occupants.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of three bottles of champagne worth approximately R3 000, an electronic cooler box with multiple chargers and a bluetooth speaker.
The four suspects will be charged with being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle as well as being in possession of stolen property
In addition, Traffic Officers recorded 47 008 offences, impounded 148 public transport vehicles and executed 505 warrants of arrest.
They made 38 arrests:
• 24 for driving under the influence of alcohol
• three for reckless and negligent driving
• 11 for various other transgressions
‘Our enforcement staff have many demands on them this time of year and they are doing a sterling job. We will continue to crack down on those who insist on breaking the law,’ added Alderman Smith.
In general enforcement efforts over the past week, the Metro Police Department made 68 arrests, including 14 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and issued 2 507 traffic and by-law related fines.
On Saturday, CCTV operators saw a woman taking two wheel caps from a red vehicle that was parked on the coner of Strand and Buitenkant Streets. The woman ran to a taxi, but Law Enforcement officers and CCID security were dispatched and managed to apprehend her and recover the wheel caps. The 37-year-old suspect was arrested for the possession of stolen property and detained at Central SAPS.
Law Enforcement officers made 169 arrests for various transgressions in the past week.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded 1 862 incidents over a 48-hour period this past weekend.
Of these, 767 were medical complaints. The centre also recorded 81 fire incidents and 77 assault cases.
Motorists are advised to take heed of route changes, traffic signs and diversions.
Emergencies can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by calling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or by dialling 107 from a landline.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
