Traffic officers net another big fish
10 June 2024
Over the past four weeks, officers have arrested at least five motorists
with 197 outstanding warrants between them, valued at over half a million rand.
The latest arrest over the weekend was one of 318 made
by City enforcement services in the past week.
The warrant dodger arrests of the past few weeks are reminiscent of another hot streak in March, when traffic officers arrested six suspects over four days with 157 warrants between them, valued at R346 400.
In the latest arrest on Saturday, 8 June, Ghost Squad officers were conducting a vehicle checkpoint close to the Joe Slovo Public Transport Interchange in Milnerton, when they noticed a minibus making a U-turn, away from the checkpoint.
Officers pursued the vehicle, and at some point along Koeberg Road, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. He was caught soon after, with the assistance of Law Enforcement officers who joined the pursuit, and was detained at Milnerton SAPS on charges of reckless and negligent driving.
Records showed that the driver had 72 outstanding warrants with a monetary value of R140 000. The minibus was also impounded as it did not have a valid operating licence.
'It's ironic how the very people who have such contempt for law and order lose all bravado when they come face to face with the uniform. In almost every instance where warrant dodgers are being arrested, there is some kind of attempt to make a run for it. In recent months, our staff have arrested nearly a dozen individuals who are on the Top 100 list of offenders with outstanding warrants. Just in the past week alone, officers have executed more than 2 000 warrants. If these cautionary tales are not enough to make scofflaws change their ways, then they must simply face the consequences of their actions,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement, Cape Town Traffic Services arrested 69 motorists in the past week – 56 for drunk driving, seven for reckless and negligent driving and six others on various charges including a stolen vehicle, false documentation and assault of an officer.
Officers also impounded 214 public transport vehicles and executed 2 128 warrants of arrest.
Metro Police officers made 45 arrests and issued 2 558 fines, while their Law Enforcement counterparts made 204 arrests and issued 2 446 notices for various transgressions.
PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE (PECC)
The Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 861 incidents over the weekend.
These included more than 800 calls for medical assistance, 124 assault cases, 56 incidents of domestic violence and 72 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
