The attack on officers during an operation in Brackenfell and surrounds last week was designed to deter action against illegal taxi operators. In spite of these shameful efforts, the City’s Traffic Service continued its operations. In the past week, the City’s three enforcement services made 150 arrests and issued 58 250 fines. Read more below:

‘The attack on our traffic officers was completely unacceptable, but not entirely surprising. Over the years we have seen a very violent response from illegal taxi operators who think that they are untouchable and can deter enforcement through intimidation. In the most recent incidents, staff were attacked while conducting an operation to check for permits, and then followed to the Driving License Testing Centre where they were attacked once more. One of them was bitten by a dog right down to the bone. This type of behaviour cannot be tolerated, nor will it succeed in deterring our efforts to maintain law and order on the roads, and protect the public,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In general, during enforcement operations last week, traffic officers arrested 39 suspects and issued 54 017 fines. Officers also impounded 102 vehicles and 81 cellphones.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT

Officers from the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) confiscated three firearms and various live rounds of ammunition during weekly patrols.

On Thursday, 2 December 2021, LEAP officers confiscated a firearm and ammunition during a stop and search operation in Nyanga and handed  the suspect over to the South African Police Service.

On Sunday, 4 December 2021, LEAP officers found a suspect in possession of a Beretta 9mm short pistol and a round of ammunition in Hanover Park. The suspect did not have a licence for the firearm or ammunition and was handed over to Philippi SAPS.

Then, just before 02:00 this morning, officers conducting patrols in Hanover Park heard gunshots, and responded. The suspects managed to get away, but officers found a high powered black python revolver chambered in a 357 magnum with five live rounds. The firearm was booked in at Philippi SAPS.

Elsewhere, Law Enforcement officers arrested 85 suspects and issued 3 240 fines.

METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Officers arrested 26 suspects and issued 993 fines.

On Thursday, 2 December 2021, officers from the K9 Unit were on patrol in Voortrekker Road when they noticed a driver behaving suspiciously when he spotted the patrol vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over, and further investigation revealed it was stolen in Sea Point last month. Two suspects, aged 27 and 31 were arrested and detained at Maitland SAPS.

On Friday, 3 December 2021, officers monitoring the CCTV cameras at the Transport Management Centre building in Goodwood, observed two males digging on the side of the road at the corner of Jakes Gerwel Drive and Heideveld Road in Bridgetown. Athlone SAPS was activated to respond, and arrested the duo for cable theft.

‘We are ramping up our operations now as the festive season edges closer. However, safety is a shared responsibility, so everyone needs to play a role in ensuring their own safety, as well as that of those around them, and the community at large,’ added Alderman Smith.

The public is reminded to report any emergency incidents to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre, by dialing 107 from a landline, or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

Source: City Of Cape Town