Cape Town emergency services respond to over 1 800 incidents in weekend surge

Cape Town’s emergency services responded to 1 853 incidents over the past weekend, including 116 assaults, 47 domestic violence incidents and 15 cases of self-harm, according to weekly statistics released by the City on Monday.

The City said its enforcement agencies made 339 arrests during the week, while emergency services noted a seasonal rise in interpersonal violence, domestic disturbances, and emotional distress calls.

Medical emergencies made up 35% of all calls logged by the Public Emergency Communication Centre.

The centre also recorded 100 fires, an increase in noise complaints from 255 the previous weekend to 281, and responded to 43 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

Metro Police officers dealt with several domestic disturbance complaints, including:

• The arrest of a suspect in Forest Village for threatening his girlfriend;

• The removal of a grandson from his grandmother’s home after a dispute escalated;

• A violent altercation between an intoxicated married couple.

Other incidents included threats to burn down a family home, property damage, and threats of violence against relatives. In one domestic case in Khayelitsha, the complainant declined to lay charges.

“These statistics and incidents are reminders of the pain and anguish that so many people experience year-round, but particularly over this period,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

“Our staff are on hand to assist where they can, but not everyone reaches out for help – in fact, these statistics likely represent only a fraction of the true state of affairs.”

Smith urged residents in crisis to seek support and encouraged communities to check in on vulnerable individuals during the festive season.

In separate enforcement operations:

• Metro Police officers made 116 arrests, including 38 for driving under the influence, and issued 4 105 traffic and by-law notices;

• Law Enforcement officers made 177 arrests and issued 9 497 fines;

• Traffic officers recorded 48 898 offences, impounded 185 public transport vehicles, and executed 1 201 warrants of arrest. Of the 46 arrests made, 41 were for drunk driving.

The City has urged the public to report emergencies or criminal activity to the Public Emergency Communication Centre and to provide clear details to assist responders.

IOL News