A minibus driver with 56 warrants of arrest against him has been arrested and detained at Pollsmoor.
He is to appear in court on Wednesday on a charge of contempt of court.
His was just one arrest among more than 50 in a crime blitz by law enforcement agencies in Cape Town last week in which more than 1000 fines were also issued.
In another operation in the blitz, 10 arrests were made and 1310 traffic-related fines issued. Metro police arrested 24 suspects and recovered a stolen car.
The officers acted on reports that a stolen car was being sold in Philippi and a car chase ensued. The driver lost control of the car and crashed into a parked car.
Two men emerged and tried to escape among the shacks, but one of them was apprehended.
He faces a charge of possession of a stolen vehicle.
Eighteen people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, and five for being in possession of illegal substances.
The mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said they would continue holding operations such as this as the city and police were constantly exploring different ways of catching up with those breaking the law.
Smith said that the traffic department was “changing its focus”, which had resulted in the high number of arrests and fines.
“Every morning there is a ghost squad out the level of compliance has increased.”
They were taking a stand against reckless drivers and arresting them, when possible, instead of issuing fines.
“Instead of fining them, they’re arrested. They know they can ignore the fines but when the handcuffs come out their eyes grow like saucers.” - Cape Argus