Over a bustling weekend of law enforcement activities, Cape Town city officials made significant confiscations, retrieving backup batteries, stolen clothing, a cache of Schedule 2 medication, and mandrax with a street value exceeding R120,000. These accomplishments contributed to the week’s enforcement endeavors, resulting in 313 arrests and the issuance of 53,614 fines.
In an operation conducted by officers attached to the Law Enforcement Metal Theft Unit in Elsies River just before 09:00 on Saturday, February 3rd, a heavily loaded car drew attention. Upon inspection, officers discovered two cellphone tower backup batteries in the vehicle. Subsequently, a search led to the recovery of an additional 11 batteries at an address in the area, resulting in the arrest of four suspects under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.
Meanwhile, in Durbanville on Friday, February 2nd, Law Enforcement auxiliary members intercepted a suspected drunk driver. Upon searching the vehicle, officers uncovered numerous articles of clothing, some still on hangers with price and store security tags attached. Four suspects were apprehended for possession of suspected stolen property, and it was revealed that the vehicle itself had been reported stolen.
On the night of Saturday, February 3rd, auxiliary officers patrolling the R27 observed a vehicle disregarding a red traffic light with hazards on. Upon inspection, the driver presented an invalid license, and further search revealed numerous boxes of cough syrup, a Schedule 2 medication, in the vehicle. The driver and passenger were detained for possession without proper documentation.
The following day, Sunday, February 4th, LEAP officers collaborated with SAPS in Kraaifontein to apprehend a murder suspect who had been evading authorities. The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspect, along with another individual found in possession of a stolen firearm.
Elsewhere, Metro Police officers seized over 3,000 mandrax tablets valued at approximately R120,000 in Goodwood. Additionally, a 22-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm in Manenberg.
Reflecting on the weekend’s accomplishments, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, commended the enforcement services for their dedication to maintaining law and order amidst significant challenges. In total, Law Enforcement officers made 210 arrests and issued 3,771 notices for various offenses, while Metro Police officers made 61 arrests and issued 2,466 fines for traffic and by-law violations. Cape Town Traffic Services recorded 47,377 offenses, impounded 188 vehicles, and executed 2,426 warrants of arrest.
The weekend also saw various incidents recorded by the Public Emergency Communication Centre, including medical emergencies, fire-related calls, assaults, domestic violence cases, noise complaints, and motor vehicle accidents, totaling 2,083 incidents between February 2nd and February 4th.
