The City’s Traffic Service, Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers made 211 arrests during the past week. This is an increase of 81 compared to the previous week. Of the total arrests, the City’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers recorded 85 arrests during the past week. In addition, Traffic officers impounded 230 vehicles and issued more than 78 300 fines.
During scheduled weekly patrols, Traffic officers arrested 37 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol and 12 for reckless and negligent driving. The Transport Enforcement Unit conducted operations throughout the City and impounded 188 vehicles. Almost 3000 fines (2956) were issued for offences related to road safety.
The City’s Traffic Service also conducted an Intergrated Taxi Enforcement Operation in Govan Mbeki and Vygiekraal Roads, where officers impounded 24 vehicles and issued 563 fines for offences related to road and vehicle safety.
Traffic officers also arrested 27 suspects during enforcement operations at five illegal street racing events throughout the Metropole.
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers were on patrol in Amsterdam road, Philippi on Thursday, 18 February 2021 when a member of the public informed officers that two armed men had just attempted to hijack him. The victim identified the suspects from a distance. While Officers pursued the two men down Mboya street, they saw one suspect dropped his fire arm and ran into the informal settlement. It was clear from the firearm that the serial number had been tampered with. The firearm and magazine were booked at Nyanga SAPS.
During another patrol by LEAP officers in the Hanover Park area they were approached by an adult female who complained about her mother’s husband, who had assaulted her mother. A case of malicious damage to property has previously been opened against the suspect. When the officers arrived at the residence, the suspect had already left the property. Information was then obtained that the suspect was storing illegal firearms. This lead officers to a shed on the property where they discovered a hand grenade. Officers immediately secured the property and made sure everyone was kept at a safe distance from the explosive. The SAPS bomb disposal unit was called and they declared it to be a practice grenade. Practice hand grenades use a high intensity flash to simulate an explosion along with a loud bang but is non-lethal. The matter will be investigated by SAPS in terms of the Explosives Act.
‘Visible policing has always shown to be a crime deterrent and that is why it is important to have officers on the beat in communities. It shows that their presence can make a difference. Our LEAP officers have recorded 85 arrests during the past week. Their presence is surely felt in communities, especially in crime-ridden areas. These arrests are a clear indication that officers patrolling the community add value to the City’s enforcement efforts, ’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. ,’
Metro Police
During the early hours of this morning, Metro Police officers were busy with a crime prevention patrol in the Mfuleni area. When officers approached a group of men walking in Ponane Street, Extension 4, they ran away.
Officers trailed and apprehended the suspects. Upon searching them, they found one of the suspects with a 9mm pistol and seven .22 live rounds of ammunition. The 23-year-old suspect was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was detained at Mfuleni Saps.
Metro Police officers also confiscated the following illegal drugs during patrols throughout the metropole:
- 12 units of Unga
- 13 packets of Tik
- 2 Dagga cigarettes
- 2 Dagga stoppe
- 1 bankie Tik
- 1 x Mandrax Tablet
The City’s Metro Police officers also conducted daily and adhoc patrols on Golden Arrow buses due to the constant robberies and harassment of passengers. In addition, officers assisted with enforcement at various Covid – 19 hotspots, which included patrols along the City’s coastline. Officers also assisted with high visibility patrols on the R300 and N2 freeway, which remain an area where criminals target unsuspected motorists. Officers also assisted motorists with broken down vehicles preventing them from falling victim to criminal activity. Officers have also been focused on curbing smash and grabs.
‘The safety of motorists and other road users as well as members of communities stays a top priority for our enforcement agencies. The increase in the amount of successful arrests is testament to our commitment in creating a safer environment and we will keep on strengthening our relationship with communities, Neighbourhood Watches, non- governmental organisations, the South African Police Service and all other role players who have the safety of our residents at heart,’ said Alderman Smith.