Cape Town – While hospital emergency rooms across the province were not overwhelmed by a massive surge in alcohol-related injuries, drunk-driving offences on the roads still dominated during the Easter weekend.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had over Easter placed a four-day ban on alcohol for off-site consumption and a curfew for on-site sales in efforts to curb reckless behaviour on roads and public sites amid Covid-19.
According to provincial health department spokesperson Mark van der Heever, 13 of their busiest trauma units across the province saw 1 358 cases over the long weekend.
“The overall sense is that while the trauma units remained busy, they were not overwhelmed as initially anticipated. Our medical emergencies in hospitals remained busy but also not overwhelmed.
“We thank the citizens of the Western Cape for heeding the call to act responsibly. This support allows us to continue rendering health service to both Covid and non-Covid-related conditions.
’’Covid is not gone, and we urge our residents to continue practising safe behaviour to reduce the impact on the health-care system,” Van der Heever said.
Premier Alan Winde, who feared the public would stockpile after the liquor ban, said the Western Cape Liquor Authority reported some overcrowded premises.
“In Cape Town there was overcrowding at some premises, however, most places inspected in other parts of the province were quieter than expected.”
Transport MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela said 23 crashes were reported on provincial roads, killing 25 people.
A total of 22 motorists were arrested for various offences but being under the influence of alcohol was the highest at seven, followed by speeding, reckless and negligent driving and bribery.
About 49 charges were laid under the Disaster Management Act and fines to the total value of R170 800 were issued.
According to Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, 298 arrests were made, with at least one-third for drunk driving or reckless and negligent driving.
Cape Times