Hundreds of units of alcohol confiscated at beaches during valedictory celebrations
Alcohol confiscated from valedictory celebrations.
Image: City of Cape Town
The City’s law enforcement officers have made 197 arrests in the past week, seeing an increase in drunk driving and confiscated hundreds of units of alcohol during valedictory celebrations.
Traffic officers made 44 arrests, 38 for driving under the influence, and half a dozen more for various other offences.
Drunk driving arrests for the previous week stood at 13.
Confiscated drugs from a Metro Police arrest.
Image: City of Cape Town
It said officers also recorded 41 095 offences, impounded, 183 public transport vehicles and executed 1 159 warrants of arrest.
On the beaches, officials confiscated 799 units of alcohol during valedictory celebrations.
Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith explained that hundreds of units of alcohol were confiscated and that there were no serious incidents reported: “The amount of alcohol confiscated is of concern, particularly as we’ve highlighted time and again that it is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces, but also the potential consequences of driving or swimming under the influence.
“Fortunately there were no major incidents reported during the valedictory celebrations. On the roads, we witnessed once again the spike in drunk driving that has become commonplace over payday and month-end weekends.
“It’s mind-boggling, considering the many other options that are available. I want to remind motorists and the public in general that a good time and good decisions are NOT mutually exclusive.”
Law Enforcement officers recovered three of the firearms, made 120 arrests and issued 5 008 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions.
Metro Police officers made 33 arrests, issued 1 721 notices for traffic and by-law transgressions and recovered four firearms and a range of drugs.
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