The City’s Metro Police Department arrested two people for the theft of copper cables. These were just two of the arrests made by the City of Cape Town’s enforcement departments. Traffic Service, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments arrested 340 suspects and issued 67 557 fines during weekly enforcement patrols.
On Saturday, 5 February 2022, Metro Police officers conducted a crime prevention patrol in Macassar when they received information of suspected copper cable thieves who were hiding in the area.
Officers followed up and found cable casings at a flat in Base Street, Macassar. Additional information indicated that the suspects moved the copper cables to Rubens Way. Metro Police officers, together with the City’s Law Enforcement Metal Theft Unit, went to the address and arrested a suspect who initially tried to flee the scene. Officers conducted a search and discovered a plastic bag containing six pieces of copper branded as South African Railway cables.
Officers arrested the 32-year-old suspect for possession of stolen property. The suspect will face an additional charge for damaging essential infrastructure
In addition, officers arrested another suspect aged 56 in the J Blocks area, Macassar where officers found 20 meters of Eskom cables at the premises . Officers detained both suspects at Macassar South African Police Service(SAPS).
‘The swift action and integrated approach by our enforcement officers led to the arrests of two suspects for copper cable theft and damage to infrastructure. These suspects clearly showed no regard for the consequences of their criminal intent. We cannot allow criminals to destroy critical infrastructure and that is why any information from the public is very important and will greatly assist our officers to bring those who destroy infrastructure and steal cables to book,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Metro Police officers arrested 125 suspects, of which 60 were for the possession of drugs. Officers also issued 3 665 fines during weekly patrols.
CAPE TOWN TRAFFIC SERVICES
Traffic officers arrested 82 suspects, impounded 165 vehicles, 119 cell phones and issued 60 245 fines.
Additionally, the Transport Enforcement Unit conducted operations throughout the metropole and arrested five suspects, impounded 122 vehicles and issued 4 013 fines for various vehicle and road safety offences.
On Friday, 4 February 2022, an officer received a complaint of traffic congestion at the intersection of Jakes Gerwell Drive and Klipfontein Road, Athlone. Two officers attended to the call. One of the officers were busy with point duty at the intersection when the driver of a silver Toyota Sedan refused to stop. The officer stood in front of the vehicle instructing the driver to stop. The driver carried on driving knocking the officer with the side of the vehicle and the rear view mirror. The driver drove off, but an unmarked SAPS vehicle managed to stop the driver. The driver was arrested for attempted murder and for failing to comply with a lawful instruction. The driver was detained at Athlone SAPS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT
Officers made 133 arrests in the past week of which Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers accounted for 128 arrests. Officers also issued 3 649 fines.
Residents are requested to report any suspicious or criminal behaviour to the City by phoning 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline.
Source: City Of Cape Town