The City of Cape Town says it saw a spike in trauma and assault cases reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) this Heritage Day weekend.

It coincided with a public holiday, as well as a payday weekend for many.

The data shows an increase in overall incidents but also increases in the number of assaults, domestic violence calls and road accidents involving both motor vehicles and pedestrians.

Below is a comparison between the previous weekend and Heritage Day weekend:

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith says they tend to see an increase in these categories near month-end.

“The statistics are sadly not surprising. However, it’s disappointing and once again highlights the relationship between trauma cases and alcohol consumption. It’s important to note that this is likely not the complete picture, as some cases might be reported to other entities, and then, of course, there are cases that go completely unreported, for various reasons.”

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Officers made 137 arrests for various offences including possession of drugs, firearms, imitation firearms and other dangerous weapons.

They also issued 3 541 notices for various by-law offences.

Officers attached to the Housing Safety Unit arrested a 23-year-old suspect on 18 September 2022 for possession of an imitation firearm, after responding to a complaint of anti-social activities at a rental stock unit in Bellville South.

On the same day, officers arrested a 33-year-old man for the illegal sale of liquor at another rental stock unit in the same area.

They responded to a complaint, and during an inspection of the premises, officers spotted beer crates stacked in the backyard.

They then found two freezers in a Wendy House on the property, filled with bottles – the tenant could not produce a liquor license, and was detained at Bellville SAPS.

TRAFFIC SERVICE

A total of 38 052 speeding offences were recorded and 30 721 fines were issued for various traffic violations.

Officers impounded 106 public transport vehicles and executed 1 575 warrants of arrest.

A total of 41 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 36 for driving under the influence of alcohol
• 5 for reckless and negligent driving

During an operation in Mitchells Plain on Sunday, 25 September 2022 to address complaints around illegal street racing, officers issued 413 fines for various offences in terms of the National Road Traffic Act and arrested four suspects for attempted robbery.

Officers participating in the operation spotted a security guard involved in a scuffle with another individual on the corner of Eisleben and Spine Road.

The security guard managed to get away, and the other person jumped into a silver Toyota Corolla that sped off.

Officers pursued the vehicle, and managed to stop it – the security guard positively identified the person who tried to rob him, and four occupants in the vehicle were taken to Mitchells Plain SAPS.

There was also an allegation that the vehicle has been used in a number of robberies in the Portlands area – this is under investigation by SAPS.

“Many of the City’s enforcement successes are the result of either a tip-off from the public or a visible enforcement presence. It underscores the importance of boots on the ground because it not only means quick turnaround times and catching perpetrators in the act, but it increases the level of trust between communities and enforcement services, which in turn increases the number of tips that are relayed.”