The City of Cape Town has reported a successful Easter period, with the integrated operation resulting in more than 300 arrests for various offences.
The operation involved police, law enforcement and traffic officials and was overseen by the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile.
During the Easter period, 84 people were arrested for driving under the influence, possession of stolen vehicles, false documentation, and assaulting an officer. A total of 72 465 fines were also issued, according to the City of Cape Town.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novelwa Potelwa, who spoke to News24, the operation focused on areas such as Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Delft and involved various stop-and-search operations, vehicle checkpoints and tracing operations.
As a result, scores of suspects were apprehended for crimes ranging from assaults, dealing in drugs, possession of presumed stolen property and unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as arrests of undocumented individuals.
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Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, attributed the increase in arrests this year to ‘proactive enforcement’. He also applauded those who respect the law and make the job of law enforcement officials easier.
While the Easter period saw an increase in arrests, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 211 assault incidents, compared to 159 in 2022.
Police said operations also took place in the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Central Karoo and Garden Route districts.
Community members from areas where operations took place indicated their appreciation for the Easter weekend operations.
Permanent roadblocks were a common feature throughout the long weekend at strategic locations along major routes such as the N1, N2 and N7.
Also read:
City’s law enforcement services made 361 arrests in the past week
Picture: @SAPoliceService / Twitter