108 drunk drivers arrested in Cape Town over long weekend
City law authorities recover a stolen vehicle.
Image: Supplied
A TOTAL of 108 people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol over the Freedom Day long weekend – one of the highest counts so far this year
Cape Town traffic officers recorded 76 arrests, of which 60 were for driving under the influence of alcohol.
This, while Metro Police and Law Enforcement made 48 more arrests for driving while intoxicated, taking the overall total to 108.
Traffic officers also recorded 50 798 transgressions, impounded 176 public transport vehicles and executed 1 392 warrants of arrest.
"Drunk driving remains a challenge, even when motorists have so many options available to them. I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone caught in this situation, and my only wish is that the criminal justice system takes stronger action against those who drink and drive," said Safety and Security mayco member, JP Smith.
"We don’t pay nearly enough attention to the cost of drunk driving, particularly for other road users who have the misfortune of being impacted by their selfish actions. It is also incredibly draining on our enforcement resources who have to police nothing more than poor and selfish decisions."
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 820 calls for assistance over the weekend.
An abandoned stolen vehicle is recovered.
Image: Supplied
Of the calls received, 109 were physical assault related cases, 63 domestic violence cases, 288 noise nuisance complaints and 27 complaints about drinking and fighting in public.
Call agents also dispatched assistance to 72 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
During weekly patrols, Metro Police Officers made 113 arrests and issued 4 673 traffic and by-law fines.
On Saturday, April 25, officers attached to the department’s Anti-Hijacking Unit successfully recovered two stolen vehicles that had been abandoned – one in Brown’s Farm and another in the Kanana Informal Settlement, in the space of just over half an hour.
Law Enforcement Officers made 199 arrests and issued 9 616 notices during weekly operations.
In one of their most recent successes, LEAP officers in Manenberg recovered just under 6kg of dagga and more than R16 000 in cash on Freedom Day. They arrested a 19-year-old suspect.