Cape Town -The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith on Monday said he was alarmed by the transgressions of road users who were arrested over the past few days following various operations by city law enforcement officials, calling the behaviour “stupidity”.
“Three of the drivers arrested for reckless and negligent driving had their wives and minors in the vehicles with them. The youngest child was just two-years-old. This driver was charged for drunk driving and also registered the highest breathalyser reading for the evening, which was nearly four times the legal limit,” said Smith.
“This is the type of stupidity that is sadly commonplace on our roads, but for which the authorities take the flak when things go wrong and innocent people lose their lives.”
Smith was commenting on operations by the City’s Metro Police, traffic, and law enforcement departments which saw the arrest of over 70 motorists and the issuing of 959 fines over the weekend.
City traffic officials focused their enforcement operations on illegal drag racing and public transport which included the arrests of 10 taxi drivers for reckless and negligent driving, 22 for outstanding warrants, and 23 drag racers for negligent driving, drunk driving, and resisting arrest. One taxi owner had 112 outstanding warrants valued at nearly R130 000. He was unable to pay the bail amount of R4 000 and was transferred to Goodwood prison.
A motorist was arrested in Brackenfell after he was pulled over for using his cellphone while driving and then attempting to bribe the official with R200.
“While the officer was issuing the fine, the motorist put a R200 note in his pocket and asked that the fine be waived,” the City said in a statement. “He was arrested on the spot for attempting to bribe an officer, in addition to the R500 fine for the cellphone offence.”
A further 15 arrests were made by the City’s Metro police during drunk driving operations in Ottery, Khayelitsha and Gugulethu.
The Metro police Gang and Drug Task Team added to the City’s arrest tally, nabbing nine suspects on charges including possession of drugs, stolen goods, and firearms.
While responding to a shoot-out in Bonteheuwel, suspects opened fire on City officials. The City police managed to arrest two of the three suspects and recovered two firearms and several rounds of ammunition.
Added to this was a joint arrest by City police and the South African Police Service of two suspects in Kraaifontein for possession of a revolver and six rounds of ammunition as well as the arrest of five suspects for possession of drugs, two for possession of stolen goods, and one for obstructing officers in the execution of their duties.
“Our staff put their lives on the line on a daily basis to safeguard the public. In fact, it is not uncommon to hear of staff members being shot at nowadays or attacked when they try to do their jobs,” said Smith.
“I want to commend our staff members who dutifully put on their uniforms every day and go out there to protect and serve residents. It’s often a thankless task and one that gets very little recognition.”
ANA