How Cape Town is tackling festive season alcohol and road offences

The City of Cape Town has stepped up festive-season enforcement operations, with officers seizing large quantities of alcohol, making hundreds of arrests and issuing tens of thousands of fines during December.

Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said enforcement agencies had significantly intensified their operations as the festive period reached its peak.

“Our officers have been working around the clock to address alcohol-related offences, road safety violations and criminal activity during this busy period,” Dyason said.

According to the City, enforcement agencies have confiscated more than 4 500 litres of alcohol so far this month, with more than half of the seizures recorded in the past week. Between 1 and 21 December, the City’s liquor pound received 1 942.74 litres of alcohol, amounting to 4 201 units or bottles. By December 28, that figure had increased to 4 634.69 litres, or 9 838 units or bottles.

The liquor pound is managed by Law Enforcement, but all City enforcement agencies are authorised under municipal by-laws to confiscate alcohol.

In general enforcement operations during the past week, Law Enforcement officers made 155 arrests and issued 5 999 fines. During these operations, LEAP officers recovered at least four firearms.

Metro Police officers made 52 arrests and issued 3 166 notices for traffic and by-law offences. Officers also recovered a pistol, a revolver and an imitation firearm, and impounded various quantities of alcohol and drugs.

In one of the most recent successes, officers recovered a stolen vehicle in Macassar on Monday morning, 29 December, following a tip-off from the public. A 42-year-old suspect was arrested.

On the roads, Traffic Services recorded 43 355 offences, impounded 156 public transport vehicles, and executed 951 warrants of arrest. Officers made 57 arrests, including 50 for driving under the influence, three for reckless and negligent driving, and four on various other charges.

Meanwhile, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre dispatched assistance for 1 850 incidents over the past weekend. Medical emergencies accounted for 40% of all calls. The centre also logged 119 fires, 279 noise nuisance complaints, and dispatched assistance to 29 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

The centre further recorded 132 assault cases, 59 domestic violence incidents, and 19 cases of self-harm.

Dyason urged residents to continue cooperating with enforcement agencies. “Public cooperation and timely reporting play a critical role in helping us respond effectively and keep communities safe,” he said.

Members of the public are encouraged to report emergencies or suspicious and criminal activity to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700, and to provide details such as the time, exact location and a brief description of the incident.

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