The City of Cape Town’s Public Emergency Communication Centre received 154 assault calls in just two days, while the Traffic Service and Law Enforcement departments issued 71 202 fines and arrested 215 suspects during weekly enforcement operations.
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Over the weekend, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre received 1 995 calls for assistance, including 154 assault-related incidents. The Traffic Service also executed 3 221 arrest warrants.
On Saturday, February 24, metro police officers discovered drugs with an estimated street value of R15 000.
During a midday patrol on Jakes Gerwel Drive in Goodwood, officers observed a driver in a white Kia hatchback acting suspiciously when he saw the officers. Officers stopped the vehicle and, while conducting a search, observed the driver’s nervous behaviour. Officers then asked to search the driver, and they discovered a medicine container containing two bags of heroin, 15 bags of cocaine, and four bags of tik.
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The driver attempted to bribe the officers by offering R2 000 in exchange for not arresting him. The 45-year-old suspect was arrested for drug possession and bribery. He was detained by the Elsies River South African Police Service (SAPS).
On the same day, police arrested a suspect and discovered a firearm in Heideveld. Officers patrolling Winterberg Road noticed a male suddenly change direction when he saw the patrol vehicle. Officers approached the suspect and searched his belongings, discovering a 9mm pistol with the serial number still intact and six 9mm live rounds.
The 18-year-old suspect was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition after failing to produce a valid firearm licence. He was detained at Manenberg SAPS.
Officers also conducted crime prevention patrols on Dullar Omar Street in Fisantekraal after spotting two suspicious males who fled when they saw the patrol vehicle. Suspects were apprehended and searched. One of the suspects, aged 22, was discovered with an imitation gas firearm and three gas rounds. The suspect was arrested for possessing an imitation firearm and taken to Durbanville SAPS for further investigation.
On Sunday, February 25, officers were patrolling the Wynberg area when they received reports of a suspicious vehicle near Riverstone and Main Road. Officers searched the green Mazda sedan and discovered an imitation firearm with two blank rounds next to the driver’s seat. Following further investigation, one bag of Tik was discovered. The driver was arrested for illegal drug possession.
During weekly enforcement patrols, officers issued 66 971 fines, with 34 617 for speeding and 32 354 for other traffic violations. Officers also executed 3 221 arrest warrants and impounded 188 public transport vehicles.
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A total of 36 arrests were made, with 24 for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for reckless and negligent driving, and ten for other offences such as stealing a vehicle, falsifying documentation and assaulting an officer.
During the past week, the City’s law enforcement officers conducted over 690 enforcement operations, arresting 179 suspects and issuing 4 231 fines. Officers assigned to the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan made 172 arrests, 111 of which were for illegal drug possession or trade.
Of the 1 995 calls recorded over the weekend, 822 were medical-related, including a staggering 154 assault cases. This is the highest number recorded in the last month, with 16 being gunshot-related. Call agents also handled 66 domestic violence cases.
The emergency centre also reported 52 motor vehicle and 20 pedestrian vehicle accidents.
‘The number of assault cases recorded by our Public Emergency Communication Centre is worrying – call agents had to deal with 154 calls over the weekend,’ said the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith.
‘Although we expect an increase of assault cases during month-end weekends, the steep increase should be noted and is a concern. It’s an indication of the level of violence in communities often triggered by alcohol abuse, gender based violence and lack of respect. This behaviour often spills over to more serious crimes, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and theft. We also note the increase in domestic violence cases which has an extremely negative effect on households, especially those with innocent children. Our officers can only act if they are informed about these cases and we request residents to report any incident that poses a threat to families and the community.’
Residents are reminded to report any suspicious or criminal activity by calling the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline.
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Picture: Dan Burton / Unsplash