Cape Town: The City Enforcement Agencies have apprehended 301 and recorded 63,661 traffic and by-law offences, in the past week. At least two of the suspects were familiar faces who were arrested at the same locations, earlier too.
The Law Enforcement officers made 171 arrests and issued 4,208 notices for various transgressions. Early morning, the officers Rapid Response Unit caught three suspects stealing the items from the City’s auction facility in Ndabeni.
The suspects arrested were of age 25, 26 and 32. Upon their arrest officers soon realised that one of them was caught just a week ago, for the similar offence at the same facility.
Reportedly, LEAP officers arrested a suspect aged 42 for the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition in New Crossroads. It later emerged out as that the same suspect was arrested for the same offence, at same area in Mid-July.
The Metro Police officers arrested 64 suspects and issued 3,361 traffic and by-law fines. Between the Law Enforcement and Metro Police they recovered at least six illegal firearms in the past week.
On the roads, the traffic officers arrested 66 motorists, out of which 51 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, four for reckless and negligent driving and 11 were arrested for various other transgressions.
The Law officers also recorded 28,828 speeding offences, which included 27,264 fines for various traffic violations, executed 2,614 warrants and impounded 224 public transport vehicles.
Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1,413 incidents last weekend, including 625 medical calls, 97 cases of assault, 44 domestic violence calls and 64 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that the phenomenon of the officers crossing paths with the suspects just days or weeks after an arrest is not new, but it is incredibly disheartening.
Apart from this, Smith noted that the risk of potential harm in pursuing and arresting the suspects. The officers also spent an inordinate amount of time completing the accompanying paperwork.
He said that it is time away from active patrols or coming to the aid of others in need. So, to hear that, in recent days officers have arrested not just one but two suspects, doing the same things they were arrested for not too long ago, which is frustrating.
“We are making positive inroads in the relationship with the South African Police Service but the criminal justice system as a whole needs urgent attention,” said JP Smith.
He added that there is no way that they will ever be able to handle the crime rates if suspects are back on the streets even before the ink on the docket has dried.