The City’s enforcement agencies made nearly 370 arrests in the past week, taking the total for March to date to over 900.
‘We’re seeing a marked increase week-on-week in our arrest rates, particularly over the past few weeks. This could be due to the continuous relaxation of DMA restrictions, but also a harsh reality of the poverty created by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, we can all appreciate the continued efforts of our staff on the ground, and the City’s ongoing investment in its Safety and Security Directorate. The City also remains very appreciative of the many public tips and reports of crimes, which helps us to focus our efforts and get results. These tips come from our community safety structures like Neighbourhood Watches, but also ordinary residents who take a stand against criminality in their communities, and their efforts are applauded,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
ENFORCEMENT SUCCESSES: 13 – 20 MARCH
Law Enforcement officers made 191 arrests and issued 5 106 fines.
During this period, officers attached to LEAP also recovered two more firearms.
- On 13 March 2022, officers on patrol in Scottsville saw two men walking along the road just before 03:00. The duo started running when they spotted the patrol car, and one of them dumped something on the ground. Officers pursued on foot, apprehended the suspect and recovered a 9mm pistol with five rounds of ammunition.
- On 17 March 2022, officers on patrol in Gugulethu spotted two men standing on a street corner. Again, the duo ran away when they saw the officers. One of them got away, but the other was apprehended in a nearby yard, and officers also recovered a 9mm pistol.
‘Ridding our communities of these illegal firearms remains a priority for our members who understand the violence and mayhem that is associated with each of these weapons. Each illegal firearm we remove allows us to move one step closer to our Directorate’s vision,’ added Alderman Smith.
Metro Police officers made 115 arrests for crimes including possession and sale of drugs, contact crimes, property crimes, domestic violence and public violence. Officers also issued 5 574 traffic and bylaw fines
Cape Town Traffic Officers arrested 61 suspects, impounded 116 vehicles, 114 cell phones and issued 78 894 fines. Among those arrested were 20 motorists for reckless and negligent driving, 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol and 18 for outstanding warrants.
For March to date, the following successes were achieved:
WEEK 1: 245 arrests and 41 237 fines issued
WEEK 2: 304 arrests and 92 924 fines issued
WEEK 3: 367 arrests and 89 574 fines issued