Routine policing by Cape law enforcement proves its worth

The City’s Traffic and Metro Police Departments arrested 108 suspects during operations over the past week. Picture: Supplied

The City’s Traffic and Metro Police Departments arrested 108 suspects during operations over the past week. Picture: Supplied

Published Nov 12, 2018

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Cape Town - The City’s Traffic and Metro Police Departments arrested 108 suspects during operations over the past week. Vehicle check points, routine traffic stops and visible policing have assisted in a number of enforcement successes for City enforcement staff.

In Lwandle on Wednesday 7 November 2018, a routine traffic stop resulted in the arrest of the motorist on a charge of rape.

While officers were inspecting the vehicle, a woman jumped out and informed them that the driver had raped her.

The 36-year-old was detained and handed over to the local SAPS for further investigation. The complainant was referred for trauma counselling.

"This incident underscores the importance of vehicle checkpoints and random stops. It is not the first case of this nature that has been uncovered by our officers, and sadly, given the levels of violence against women and children in our country, it probably won’t be the last," said Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.

"With the mooted introduction of a 24-hour traffic presence on our roads, our staff will be able to conduct more vehicle check points – an invaluable tool in crime fighting as it often lifts the lid on criminals after the fact, or puts a spanner in the works for planned criminal activity."

Elsewhere, the Metro Police Department arrested 41 more suspects on a range of charges including drunk driving and drug possession. Other notable arrests included:

- Six youths aged between 15 and 17 on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and public violence, after a fight in Gugulethu. Officers broke up the fight and arranged medical assistance for an injured male who had sustained multiple wounds. As the suspects were all minors, a probation officer was called in to facilitate the matter at Gugulethu SAPS.

- The arrest of a 28-year-old male for intimidation and contravening the Domestic Violence Act in Newfields, Hanover Park

- A 24-year-old suspect arrested in Ravensmead for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition

- Officers also assisted 27 stranded motorists along the N2 and R300 highways to prevent them from falling prey to criminal activity such as robbery.

Staying on the roads, the Cape Town Traffic Service arrested 66 motorists in the past week including 44 for drunk driving and 18 for outstanding warrants. Officers also issued 5 721 fines for various transgressions.

Smith added: "I think it’s worth reminding motorists that drunk driving isn’t the only offence for which you can be arrested on the roads. If you have outstanding warrants, please settle them or risk a nasty surprise at a vehicle check point or roadblock, which will increase in frequency soon to deal with the demands of the festive season.

"Earlier this year, we announced that we had taken the pain out of finalising fines that had progressed to warrant stage by implementing an online payment option. So, there really is no excuse not to pay outstanding fines unless the intent is not to pay at all. If that is the case, then I have no sympathy for individuals who do find themselves in the queue at a roadblock or check point."

@TheCapeArgus

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Cape Argus

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